Terrorism cases filed against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Ali Amin Gandapur over D-Chowk protest

The Islamabad police have filed eight cases against the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including its founder Imran Khan, along with thousands of party workers, in connection with protests in the capital's D-Chowk area.

The FIRs name PTI founder Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, party leaders Ali Amin Gandapur, Salman Akram Raja, Sheikh Waqas Akram, and several local leaders, as well as thousands of unidentified individuals.

According to Express News, the charges against the PTI leaders and their supporters include terrorism, violation of the Assembly Act, attacks on police personnel, abduction, interference in government affairs, and defiance of Section 144, which prohibits gatherings of more than four people.

The cases have been registered at various police stations in the capital, including Shehzad Town, Sohala, Bani Gala, Khanna, Shams Colony, Tarnol, Noon, and Nilor.

The charges reflect the severity of the unrest caused by the protests, which led to clashes with law enforcement and disruption of public order. The PTI leadership and their supporters continue to face legal challenges as the government seeks to address the situation through the judicial system.

PTI’s ‘final call’ still on: CM Gandapur

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said on Wednesday that the PTI protest is still ongoing, asserting that only party founder Imran Khan has the authority to decide when it will be called off.

In the early hours of Wednesday, the party announced a "temporary suspension" of its "do-or-die" protest, following a midnight crackdown by law enforcement officials that successfully dispersed PTI workers.

Speaking at a press conference in Mansehra on Wednesday, CM Gandapur emphasised that the protest, which had been initiated by Imran, was not just a political demonstration but part of a broader movement for Pakistan’s future.

Despite PTI’s repeated claims to be a peaceful party, CM Gandapur accused the government of oppressive actions against PTI supporters, including illegal detentions, violence against demonstrators, and restrictions on freedom of assembly. He also claimed that the party had been consistently denied permission to hold peaceful rallies.

Over 900 PTI workers arrested in three days: IG Islamabad

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, announced on Wednesday that a total of 954 protesters have been arrested over the past three days, with 610 of those arrests occurring just on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference alongside the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, IGP Rizvi reported the seizure of more than 200 vehicles and 39 different types of weapons, including Kalashnikovs, 12-bore guns, and other firearms, from protesters during the demonstration.

"We have video evidence showing armed protesters advancing with masks on their faces," Rizvi stated, highlighting the seriousness of the unrest.

Additionally, the IGP revealed that out of 71 individuals reported as injured during the protests, 52 were law enforcement personnel. He further explained that protesters had employed large fans to blow tear gas fumes back towards security forces, intensifying the confrontation.

He emphasised that all roads leading to and from Islamabad are open, and routine activities are continuing without disruption. "No one will be allowed to challenge the state's authority," he asserted.

Normalcy returns to Islamabad

Life in the capital began to return to normal on Wednesday after a grand operation to disperse 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.