Lahore shutdown updates: I have my next plan ready if judicial commission is not formed, says Imran

PTI chief also thanked his supporters for a successful shutdown


Our Correspondents/web Desk December 15, 2014

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) tries to paralyse Lahore on Monday as part of its ‘Plan-C’, with party supporters staging sit-ins and burning tyres at 18 locations. 

PTI had announced to shut major cities followed by a nationwide shutdown to pressurise the government into accepting its demand for an independent audit of the May 2013 elections which, it claims, were rigged in favour of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz.

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7:15pm

“If rigging allegations are not investigated, we will have no other choice but to continue our protests,” the PTI chairman says.

Further, Imran demands the arrest of former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah over PTI activist’s death in Faisalabad.

PTI chief adds that he has his next plan ready if rigging allegations are not probed into.

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7:06pm

PTI chairman Imran Khan thanks his supporters for a successful shutdown.

"The people of Lahore have proven that Nawaz Sharif won the May 2013 general elections through rigging," he says.

“Mian sb, either you make a judicial commission or we will make governance difficult to you by the day,” he says, adding, “We are a democratic party and only want free and fair elections.”



Express News screen grab of Imran Khan's address

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5:30pm

Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid condemning the death of two people who were unable to reach the hospital on time due to a traffic jam owing to the shutdown, says, “We facilitated the protest because Imran Khan had promised us free passage for ambulances.”

“But just like the past, he broke his promise again,” he says, adding, “People are losing their lives because of Imran Khan’s politics.”

“Is this the Pakistan you want to create?” the information minister questions.

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5:00pm

Adviser to the Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique says two patients died on their way to the hospital as PTI workers failed to clear the way  for the ambulances they were in on Shahdara Chowk, our correspondent Ali Usman reports.

The adviser says a 17-day-old baby girl and a 15-year-old boy died in the ambulance while being shifted from Shahdara Hospital to Children’s Hospital.

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4:41pm

Imran Khan's convoy is currently on Jail Road, and is expected to reach Charing Cross in about an hour to an hour-and-a-half, Express News reports.

Further, an Express News correspondent says the PTI chief shook hands with his supporters while his convoy was on the move from Siddique Trade Centre to Jail Road.

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4:31pm

Imran has now reached Siddique Trade Centre in Lahore, and is standing atop his container along with PTI leader Jahangir Tareen and PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Express News reports.


Express News screen grab of Imran Khan with PTI leader Jahangir Tareen.

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 4:19pm

In an interesting turn of events, the PTI chief's route has changed, and he will now address his supporters at Charing Cross, according to Express News.

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3:52pm

PTI chief Imran Khan's convoy arrived at Liberty Chowk and is on the move once again following a brief conversation between the PTI chief and his workers.


Express News screen grab of PTI chief Imran Khan atop his convoy at Liberty Chowk.

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3:47pm

Pakistan Sunni Tehreek's convoy reaches Charing Cross to join the protest, and is welcomed with cheers from PTI supporters, reports our correspondent Aroosa Shaukat.

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3:36pm

PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi while speaking to Express News clarifies that PTI workers were directed to avoid violence and not create chaos in Lahore.

“Our protests are peaceful and there are no clashes anywhere.”

However, refuting his claims former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah alleges PTI workers pelted a metro bus with stones and did not clear the way for ambulances.

Further, condemning the death of two people who were unable to reach hospitals as their ambulances were stuck in a traffic jam, Qureshi says, “We directed our workers to pave way for ambulances, but when the crowds are this big it is difficult to differentiate between our workers and those who belong to the PML-N.”

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3:29pm

PTI workers bearing their party’s flags can be seen standing on the roof a metro station in Lahore, according to Express News.

Earlier, city administration had suspended the Metro bus service after activists pelted stones at a Metro bus in Amar Sidhu.


Express News screengrab of PTI supporters atop a metro station in Lahore.

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2:25pm

Imran Khan’s convoy reaches Defence Mor where hundreds of party supporters are gathered to welcome him.

The PTI chief briefly comes out of his car and waves at his supporters.

He will now move to Hussain Chowk and then to Liberty Chowk.

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2:17pm

PTI workers allegedly stopped a rickshaw driver from going to Anarkali and forced him to take another route. While at GPO Chowk, female PTI supporters prevented an elderly man on a motorbike from moving ahead.

Watch: PTI activist vs rickshaw driver:



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2:11pm

PTI leader Shireen Mazari, while speaking to Express News, denies use of violence by PTI supporters.

She says if PTI workers are found guilty, action will be taken against them.

“PML-N leaders should avoid issuing false statements,” she says, adding that PML-N supporters are roaming the streets of Lahore and provoking PTI supporters to violence.

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2:06pm

Hundreds of PTI supporters are burning tyres and chanting slogans against PML-N near Regal Chowk on Mall Road, our correspondent Aroosa Shaukat reports.

Further, shops from Charing Cross to Regal Chowk are closed. However, a few shops in Panorama Shopping Centre are open.


PTI workers gather at Shalamar Chowk in Lahore and chant 'Go Nawaz Go'. PHOTO: ONLINE

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1:55pm

Punjab government’s spokesperson Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri says PTI has stolen people’s right of free movement in the name of "peaceful protests".

“PTI assured us there will be no violence; we thought PTI was telling the truth for the first time but again they lied and paralysed the people of Lahore forcibly,” he says, alleging stick-wielding PTI protesters forcefully shut down shops and damaged a Metro bus.

The spokesperson also showed footage of ambulances stuck in traffic and people clashing. He also showed videos of children going to school, claiming the “public has rejected PTI’s call for shutdown.”

“The government wants to apologise to the public for the inconvenience caused by the protests,” Qadri says.

Further, urging the Lahore High Court to take suo moto action against PTI chief Imran Khan, Qadri says, “Imran has gone against the decision of the high court.”

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1:49pm

PTI workers had a quarrel with motorcyclists and other residents of the Mozang area near Mozang Chowk‎, our correspondent Hassan Naqvi reports.

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1:19pm

Imran Khan’s convoy reaches Bhatta Chowk. Flanked by Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other PTI leaders, Imran tells his supporters that PTI will not rest until justice is served.


An Express News screen grab of Imran Khan addressing his supporters.


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1:16pm

*UGC 



https://twitter.com/HassanIhsan/status/544360720465281024

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1:11pm

A fight breaks out after stick-wielding PTI workers allegedly forced shopkeepers at Bhati Chowk to close their shops, our correspondent Hassan Naqvi reports.

Area DSP reaches the spot and ‎rescues one of the individuals who was beaten by the angry protesters.


An Express News screen grab of a man (C) who was allegedly beaten up by PTI supporters.


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12:40pm

PTI chief Imran Khan arrives in Lahore and is headed to Charing Cross where he is expected to address his supporters.

While speaking to the media, Imran says if Karachi shutdown can be peaceful, so can Lahore's. "This is my city," he says.

"If the government and PM Nawaz are ready, we can end this deadlock in 48 hours," he repeats.



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12:25pm

Our correspondent Hassan Naqvi says PML-N workers allegedly thrashed PTI supporters in Brandreth Road area for chanting "Go Nawaz Go".

A large number of police officials reached the spot to control the situation. Though some shops were open in the area, they are all closed now after the fight.

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12:16pm

A senior police official tells our correspondent Hassan Naqvi that PTI supporters have blocked Lahore at 40 different locations.

Naqvi further reports that around 75 percent of shops in Shadman Market are closed and large number of policemen are deployed in the area.

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12:09pm

A scuffle broke between PTI's protesters and unidentified men after a party worker allegedly manhandled a passerby at Bhati Chowk. While at Beddon Road, a man was allegedly ‎beaten up by sticks by a PTI protester, our correspondent Hassan Naqvi reports.

A senior PTI official accuses PML-N’s ‘Gullu Butts’ of provoking PTI supporters. "We warn the government against using their paid thugs," he says.



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12:00pm

With rumours of Imran Khan's arrival making rounds at Charing Cross, a stage has been set for his speech parallel to the entrance leading towards the Punjab Assembly, our Lahore correspondent Aroosa Shaukat reports. Supporters are being asked to move closer to stage.

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11:57am

A small convoy of Awami Muslim League supporters and several lawyers also join the Charing Cross protest. All shops from Charing Cross to Regal chowk are closed, our correspondent Aroosa Shaukat reports.

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11:12am

Imran Khan, while speaking to the media in Islamabad, says the protest in Lahore will remain peaceful if PML-N does not unleash its "Gullu Butts".

Read full story here



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10:41am

Shahdara Chowk has been blocked by PTI supporters, disrupting traffic coming in from Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Jehlum, Gujrat, Attock, Sialkot, Narowal and Peshawar.

A heavy contingent of the police is stationed in the area. Only ambulances and Rescue 1122 vehicles are being allowed to cross the area.


Roads leading to Shahdara Chowk.


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10:31am

A request has been filed in Supreme Court Lahore registry, seeking action against PTI's call for a country-wide shutdown on December 18, 2014, Express News reports.

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10:28am

PTI activists block Defence Mor and Bhatta Chowk by burning tyres.

City administration suspends the Metro bus service after activists pelted stones at a Metro bus in Amar Sidhu.

Siddiqui Trade Centre in the Gulberg area, is yet another place where PTI activists are staging a sit-in protest.

Chowk Yateem Khana, Qurtaba Chowk, Liberty, Thokar Niaz Baig, Walton road have also been blocked with burning tyres, disrupting traffic in the area.



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10:25am

A scuffle breaks out between PTI supporters and unidentified men at Chungi Amar Sadhu, after PTI workers tried to stop a vehicle.

The vehicle – Rescue 1122 – was later allowed to move forward.

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10:19am

Our correspondent Aroosa Shaukat reports one person was injured after he fell from a “sound system” truck when a fire brigade arrived to cut electric supply to the system.

The injured is reportedly a PTI worker.

Several Edhi and Rescue 1122 ambulances are present on Mall road to provide immediate assistance in case of an emergency.

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10:12am

PTI workers block arteries leading to Mall road, while Charing Cross has been blocked since 7:30am, our Lahore correspondent Aroosa Shaukat reports. Supporters also burn tyres near major intersections and junctions besides using trucks and cars to block roundabouts.

PTI's Ejaz Chauhdry, Dr Andleeb Abbas and Dr Yasmin Rashid are all on their way to reach Charing Cross.

A heavy police presence has been in force at all major buildings on Mall road including Shahdin Plaza, Punjab Assembly, outside Masjid-e-Shuhada, Panorama Shopping Centre and Regal Chowk.


An Express News screen grab of tyres set on fire allegedly by PTI workers.


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10:01am

PTI chief Imran Khan is scheduled to arrive in the city at around 12pm.

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9:42am

Lahore police deployed 15,000 policemen across the city to maintain the law and order situation during the shutdown.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf said “Nobody will be allowed to take the law into his own hands.”

Read full story here

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9:33am

Imran Khan's supporters stage sit-ins at 18 locations in their attempt to block major arteries.

PTI leader Mehmoodur Rasheed says patients and ambulances will be allowed to move freely.

COMMENTS (92)

Alter Ego | 9 years ago | Reply

@Shanawar Hashmi: Who has given IK the right to decide anyone schedule, huh?

mohsin jami | 9 years ago | Reply

Yesterdays horrific incident has provided an opportunity for both PTI and govt to mend their ways and focus on real issues.

Our real issue is not rigging, the real issues are much more difficult to handle. Pls you all focus and work on real issues instead of making Pakistan your battle ground.

I hope IK will now stop supporting TTP.

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