Normalcy returns to Islamabad, Punjab after PTI ends protest

Gandapur, Bushra avoid arrests; flee to K-P; Ministers say protesters dispersed after crackdown

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Life in the capital began to return to normal on Wednesday after a grand operation to disperse Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters was completed, with business activities resuming and educational activities expected to restart tomorrow.

Following a night of clashes between security forces and PTI supporters, authorities in Islamabad began clearing roads and removing barricades that had been erected during the protest, Express News reported.

"The operation has been successfully concluded and normalcy is being restored," a senior official told reporters.

Photo: Reuters

Photo: Reuters

In addition to reopening roads that were closed due to the protests, city officials started removing containers from sensitive areas like the Red Zone, where many key government buildings are located. Cleaning operations are underway across the city to ensure public spaces are cleared of debris and abandoned vehicles left behind by protesters.

The streets, once filled with protesters, now bear the remnants of the demonstrations—scattered shoes, clothes, and vehicles left abandoned. "We are making sure the roads are clear before the morning," said Islamabad's Deputy Commissioner, Irfan Memon. "All roadblocks will be removed and areas will be cleaned up," he added.

After being closed for four days, all motorways have now been reopened, as confirmed by motorway authorities. The Islamabad-Lahore motorway (M-2) is once again open, providing relief to commuters.

In addition, the Lahore-Sialkot motorway has been restored, improving regional connectivity.

Motorways M-3, M-4, and M-5 have also resumed operations, allowing for smoother travel across multiple areas of the country.

 

Authorities also confirmed that business activities would resume immediately, and schools would reopen tomorrow. The city is now experiencing a calm atmosphere following the intense clashes that saw protesters clashing with police and military forces on the streets of the capital.

Earlier today, PTI protest in the federal capital was brought to an end late after the government launched a grand operation against the protesters surge to the D-Chowk, leaving the senior party leadership "escaping" from the scene.

Bushra, Gandapur returns back to KP

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said that the PTI protesters had been dispersed who later fled towards Khyber-Pakhtunkwha (K-P). Some reports said that K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi, wife of PTI founder Imran Khan had reached K-P.

"The law enforcement personnel have cleared the area and ended the protest," Naqvi said, adding that Gandapur and Bushra Bibi had fled. Tarar also said that PTI protestors had fled from the capital. Both the ministers told reporters that the daily life would be brought to normal in the day.

The grand operation and crackdown was carried out late at night against the PTI protesters, who had reached the federal capital, in which hundreds of workers were arrested. Amid fierce shelling, Bibi and Gandapur fled in a car.

It was like the D-day in the federal capital as the PTI protestors managed to briefly converge on the edge of D-Chowk on day three of the 'final call' for the release of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan. The protesters broke all the barriers on their way, including roads closures with containers.

The PTI protesters being led by Chief Minister Gandapur and accompanied by Bushra Bibi continued their march towards Parliament and managed to reach D-Chowk – the place where they had vowed to reach at any cost.

The day started with the protestors quickly moving ahead by removing containers, clashing with the law-enforcement personnel and allegedly resorting to firing tear gas back at the security officials in their attempt to reach the venue.

The footages of the PTI protestors standing on the containers placed near parliament embarrassed the government yet it showed restrained. Later on, the army, which was summoned on Monday night with shoot-at-sight orders, forced the protestors back a few kilometres away.

The clashes between the security forces and protestors continued till late night with government ministers announcing that there will be no more talks with the PTI, especially, after they symbolically achieved what they wanted during the day.

After midnight, it emerged that the law-enforcers had cleared up the area. Reportedly, dozens of protestors were arrested during the operation, while PTI leadership remained out of sight. The reports said that the special teams were formed to apprehend the PTI leaders.

When asked to comment on the government's announcement, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram refrained from confirming if the protest had ended. The party was "deliberating" upon the situation and trying to contact with the party leadership," he told The Express Tribune.

'PTI's final call was a missed call'

Speaking at around 2am, Wednesday, Akram said that a formal statement about the protest and overall situation would be issued soon. He added that the party was gathering information about the ground situation as several PTI workers had been shot at and injured during the operation.

At their media talk, Tarar said that the PTI had been dealt a severe blow. "PTI's final call was a missed call. The Protesters fled leaving behind their shoes, clothes and vehicles, Bushra Bibi and Amin Gandapur fled," he added.

According to some reports, more than 450 protesters were arrested during the operation. Naqvi indicated that the situation would be normalised on Wednesday with gradual resumption of daily activities.

On November 13, the PTI issued its four demands: release of Imran Khan and all the political prisoners, reversal of the 26th constitutional amendment, restoration of democracy and constitution and return of alleged stolen mandate of the party in the General Elections of 2024.