A PTI protest rally coming from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, entered the federal capital, Islamabad, last night.
The rally is attempting to reach D-Chowk, but the government has deployed the army to confront the protesters. Meanwhile, negotiations between the government and PTI are also underway. Following are the updates.
Par Army announcement for protesters:
Pakistan Army contingents currently deployed at the D Chowk in Islamabad, used loudspeakers to urge PTI protesters to remain peaceful, ensuring them that the army will not shoot at its people.
Clashes in D-Chowk, PTI claims deaths of three workers:
Islamabad’s D-Chowk has become a battleground as law enforcement agencies (LEAs) personnel use tear gas to deter PTI workers in the federal capital, while the protesters are also using tear gas against the forces.
In a post on X, PTI said police resorted to straight firing on protesters in Islamabad protest, killing three and injuring several.
D Chowk looks like a battle field. Police doing straight fires and Shell. But remember you can not beat the power of ppl۔ How many you can kill 20,30,100?In the end you will loose and you will be hanged on these containers inshaAllah#احتجاج_سے_انقلاب_تکpic.twitter.com/J0UZgQ9YrG
— Mahnoor ⚖️ (@Here4_change) November 26, 2024
Protesters reach D-Chowk:
Some PTI protesters have reportedly reached D-Chowk after crossing the containers.
Hello how are you? Welcome on the container. PTI protestors reached D Chowk in Islamabad. pic.twitter.com/exALg1uEV7
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) November 26, 2024
Bushra Bibi address to supporters:
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, urged supporters to refrain from believing any information unless it comes directly from Imran Khan himself. “Do not trust anyone until Imran Khan himself shows up in public,” she said. Bushra Bibi addressed PTI supporters in Islamabad, encouraging them to continue their march toward D-Chowk.
Army takes control of Red Zone including D-Chowk :
The army troops have taken control of the security of key landmarks within the Red Zone after the government deployed the military to deal with the situation in the federal capital. D-Chow is also now under the control of army Jawans.
Convoy reaches Zero Point:
The PTI convoy has arrived at Zero Point Bridge in Islamabad. The situation has turned tense as clashes erupted between PTI supporters and police personnel.
The police have resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse the crowd, while PTI workers have responded with stone pelting, escalating the confrontation.
PTI Protest hits Zero Point Islamabad at 10:15 am pic.twitter.com/71WtLFYv2t
— Usman Chaudhary (@Usman_Ch92) November 26, 2024
Convoy leaves for D-Chowk:
Bushra Bibi’s convoy, accompanied by the main container, started off towards D-Chowk on Tuesday.
The PTI activists reportedly removed shipping containers blocking the route near Metro Station 26, clearing the way for the procession. The Red Zone has been completely sealed off, with media personnel removed from the area.
It’s 9 in the morning in Pakistan right now. It’s not fog in the air, it’s tear gas smoke. The police have used so much tear gas on unarmed protesters that it feels like the capital city, Islamabad, is covered in thick fog.#PTIProtestIslamabad #FinalCallpic.twitter.com/R6wugFy46H
— Abdur Rahman (@krehman545) November 26, 2024
Attempts to divert protest fail:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and PTI leader Omar Ayub held repeated meetings with Bushra Bibi during the protest. These discussions reportedly took place in her vehicle, as they tried to convince her to hold the demonstration at Sangjani instead of proceeding to D-Chowk.
Despite these efforts, Bushra Bibi refused to agree, maintaining her stance to lead the protest to D-Chowk.
Reportedly, both Gandapur and Ayub, along with other party leaders, had reached a consensus with the government to hold the demonstration at Sangjani.
Even former prime minister Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi’s husband, had expressed his willingness to move the protest to Sangjani in a meeting with Barristers Gohar and Saif a day earlier. Barrister Saif conveyed Imran Khan’s approval to Ali Amin Gandapur, who then informed Bushra Bibi of the decision at the Hazara Interchange rest area.
However, Bushra Bibi declined to accept this plan, insisting on continuing toward D-Chowk. Defying all advice, she signaled supporters to advance and took charge of the convoy herself.
Army deployed in Islamabad:
The Ministry of Interior has announced the deployment of the Pakistan Army in Islamabad under Article 245 of the Constitution due to increasing security concerns in the federal capital.
Authorities have issued strict directives to security forces to act decisively against agitators and miscreants while authorizing them to take extreme measures such as shooting rioters on sight.
The interior ministry’s notification has authorized the Pakistan Army to impose a curfew in any locality, if they deem it necessary, to maintain law and order.
After the PTI procession left from Chungi Number 26 towards D-Chow, heightened security measures have been observed in the red zone. Rangers personnel have been positioned in the red zone and media personnel have been moved away from the sensitive area.
Security personnel have been stationed across Islamabad, with some deployed on the rooftops of key buildings.
Army has come out in full strength in Islamabad to suppress protests by Imran Khan supporters-After all fear tactics failed, the establishment has brought its last weapon of suppression, the army! pic.twitter.com/1nmf4FzjtB
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) November 25, 2024
D-Chowk sealed with containers:
The government has sealed D-Chowk in Islamabad with shipping containers and barbed wires, while security forces including police, rangers, and FC personnel have been deployed to tackle any untoward situation.
⚠️ Did you know ❓
Government is covering containers at D-Chowk with green covers, known as Chroma Keying ???? This technique is commonly used in video editing, as the green color doesn’t match natural skin tones or hair colors, making it easier to edit and manipulate visuals. pic.twitter.com/8Sa1dXILGI
— Showbiz & News (@ShowbizAndNewz) November 23, 2024
4 Rangers personnel martyred:
Some miscreants ran their vehicle over the Rangers personnel on Srinagar Highway, leaving four personnel martyred and five others and two police officers sustained injuries, according to security sources.
Security reports confirmed that such attacks have so far claimed the lives of four Rangers and two police officers, adding that over 100 police personnel have been injured so far. The sources said that the majority of the injured were in a critical state.
The Pakistan Army has been called in under Article 245, the security sources said, adding that strict orders have been issued to deal with the unrest and militants with an iron hand. Orders to shoot at sight have also been issued, the sources added.
Violent situation in Islamabad’s Srinagar Highway, Four Rangers were crushed to death by a Land Cruiser. So sad RIP Ameen pic.twitter.com/bv97WTwUzy
— Naveed Siddiqui (@NaveedSiddiquii) November 26, 2024
Bushra Bibi’s statement:
Bushra Bibi, the wife of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, insisted on progressing to D-Chowk in the federal capital, hours after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warned the former ruling party of “consequences” if they entered the high-security zone, sources said.
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan contacted KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra and conveyed Imran’s message to them, the sources said.
In response to the message, the former first lady told Barrister Gohar that Imran had directed her to reach D-Chowk at all costs, the sources said.
She reportedly asserted that the party workers are not willing to compromise on any settlement that does not include (reaching) D-Chowk.
The sources said that the PTI founder agreed to an alternative location which his wife refused to accept.
The sources reported Bushra as saying, “Certain conspirators want to divert us from D-Chowk to another location, but this will not be accepted.”
