ISLAMABAD: PTI workers after authorities tried to block them from proceedings towards the capital, where former prime minister Imran Khan plans to hold a large political rally.
Khan is heading to Islamabad from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a large caravan to demand the removal of the government and an immediate national election.
He vows to hold the “biggest march” in the political history of Pakistan if the government does not agree to his demands. According to the latest update, Khan’s caravan has entered Punjab after supporters removed barricades from the Attock bridge.
Taking to his Twitter handle, Khan confirmed: “We have entered Punjab and will InshaAllah be heading towards Islamabad.”
“No amount of state oppression and fascism by this imported govt can stop or deter our march.”
The former prime minister urged all PTI party workers to come out of their houses and stage protests across the country. “I am reaching Islamabad in the next 2.5 hours,” he announced.
Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning that PTI workers have started reaching D-Chowk and removed the containers placed to seal the area. Police resorted to using tear gas to stop protestors from entering the place.
Meanwhile, PTI protesters in Islamabad had set vehicles and trees on fire in the Blue Area of the federal capital.
According to the police sources, the fire brigade was called immediately to douse the fire; however, the protestors also attacked the fire engine.
The police sources further added that security in the Red Zone area has been increased.
Clashes in Karachi
The PTI workers staged a protest at Karachi’s Numaish Chowrangi and set a police van on fire.
During the demonstrations, several policemen including a superintendent of police (SP) were injured as the protesters pelted stones at them. The police started aerial firing after which the number of protesters increased.
SC orders govt to provide PTI with a ground for jalsa
The Supreme Court directed the federal government to provide the PTI with the ground between the H-9 and G-9 areas of Islamabad to hold its public gathering.
When the hearing resumed after a break, the attorney-general told the three-member bench that the ground, which will be given to the PTI, only had the capacity to accommodate 10,000 people.
He also added that a Sunday bazaar and the Sirinigar Highway were close to the venue.
Earlier today, following the directions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the two sides had also engaged in a two-hour dialogue, but no breakthrough could be reached.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has denied reports of an agreement between the federal government and the PTI, calling the news “baseless”.
After reaching Swabi, PTI Chairman Imran Khan addressed the people heading toward the federal capital. In it, he denied all reports of striking an agreement with the government. “We are heading towards Islamabad and there is no chance of settling an agreement with the coalition government.”
“We will stay in Islamabad until the government decided to dissolve assemblies and announces election dates,” he reiterated, adding that they will reach D-Chowk and no hurdle can stop them.
Speaking to a charged crowd, he called the incumbent government a “group of American slaves”. The former prime minister acknowledged that his party workers and leaders were being arrested across the country, while several others were being harassed.
Imran also maintained that staging a protest was the party’s right, adding that he would unite the country and make it a nation.
“All Pakistanis, women, children, families, youth, lawyers, retired army officers, everyone has to come out for real independence,” he said.
The PTI chairman had earlier announced to lead the march from Wali interchange, where he landed in a helicopter. In a video message recorded before leaving the former prime minister said: “This is a decisive moment for Pakistan.”
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