On Sunday, several arrests were made as the government took strong measures to secure Islamabad ahead of a planned protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). PTI leader Imran Khan, currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail, had called for a large-scale march to the capital on November 24, urging supporters to protest against the government.
Videos surfaced showing PTI convoys, especially from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heading towards Islamabad for the demonstration. Reports also suggested that Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, was part of one of the convoys.
Clashes between PTI supporters and police broke out in various regions, including Punjab, with 16 people arrested in Faizabad, Islamabad. Police used aerial gunfire to disperse the crowds gathered in certain areas.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the government’s determination to “protect Islamabad” and warned that strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to enter the capital’s restricted zones. Naqvi emphasized that any protestors attempting to breach the designated “protected” areas of Islamabad would be arrested.
Heightening tensions, the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) issued a warning about potential terrorist attacks from the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during the protest, urging law enforcement to stay on high alert.
In response, the government sealed off key parts of the capital, placing shipping containers at major entry points and imposing a ban on all public gatherings. Police were placed on high alert with orders to prevent any disruption or damage to public property.
Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the protest had been declared illegal by the Islamabad High Court, warning that legal consequences would follow for those who participated. The government’s strict actions reflect the growing tensions surrounding PTI’s defiant rally.
