LAHORE: Political tensions are at an all-time high in Pakistan with all eyes on Islamabad as the city braces itself for the arrival of PTI workers and leaders heading towards the federal capital for the party’s Azadi March despite the government’s instructions not to.
So far, the day has been filled with political drama. Lahore turned into a battleground as multiple scuffles took place between the police and PTI marchers as the latter tried to wriggle out of the barricades placed on their way.
Law enforcement is on high alert and the government has given instructions to take “all possible measures” to stop the PTI’s ‘Azadi March’. PTI Chairman Imran Khan is leading the march, which he has said will be the “biggest” in Pakistan’s political history, while Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah will address the public shortly over the ongoing situation.
In order to restrain Lahore’s rally from entering Islamabad, the police tried to arrest former energy minister and senior PTI leader Hammad Azhar; however, party workers managed to save him.
Police arrested district president of PTI Ali Asjad Malhi, among other party workers from Sialkot. The authorities managed to disperse the workers with the help of tear gas.
On his Twitter handle, Azhar wrote: “Heavy shelling on our rally near Kala shah kaku. But we will InshAllah overcome this obstacle too.”
The PTI leader confirmed that failed attempts were being made for his arrest. He also reported that the police have abused the workers and hundreds of shells have been fired.
Amid the ongoing clashes in the federal capital, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah directed the Islamabad police and administration to allow all government employees on duty to enter the federal capital. Meanwhile, he said media persons shouldn’t be stopped and routes heading towards hospitals should remain open.
The interior minister has also tweeted that he would be addressing a press conference shortly to address the ongoing situation.
At Lahore’s Batti Chowk, the police resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse PTI workers when they removed barriers placed to block the routes.
The PTI’s Lahore chapter had asked its workers to gather at the Batti Chowk today from where they were to depart for Islamabad.
The party workers gathered at the intersection and clashed with the police when they removed barriers after which the police fired tear gas shells in order to clear the area.
The police have so far arrested more than 10 PTI workers from Batti Chowk; meanwhile, police confirmed that some marchers have also been arrested from the Srinagar Highway. PTI workers have also been arrested from D-Chowk.
A senior police officer, on condition of anonymity, told Geo.tv, on condition of anonymity, 212 PTI workers arrested so far in Lahore.
In a press conference, DIG Operations Lahore Sohail Chaudhry said that in the last few days the police had information that weapons were being brought to Lahore, which could be used to disturb the peace.
The senior cop said the police chased five cars near the motorway and then raided the home of Zubair Niazi, the PTI general secretary in Lahore. “At his home we found weapons. It seems apparent they were planning to use these weapons in the march,” he adds.
Meanwhile, police have arrested a total of nine PTI workers from Numaish Chowrangi, including three women.
Read more: PTI begins long march amid blockades, crackdown against workers
