RAWALPINDI: Firebrand Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has headed back to Peshawar as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) protest at Rawalpindi “called off” after violent clashes with police near Liaquat Bagh.
The Gandapur-led convoy was stuck at the interchange hours due to closure of roads as the authorities have placed containers at Burhan Interchange in an attempt to thwart PTI’s protest.
Addressing the participants, the KP chief executive directed them to return back to Peshawar and castigated the government for not granting PTI its “constitutional right”.
He regretted that the police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the protesters, vowing that they will come back with “all resources”.
“They [police] have set a precedent of firing bullets […] We also have guns,” he warned.
The firebrand politician noted that the allocated deadline for holding protest in Rawalpindi has ended.
However, Gandapur’s announcement drew strong opposition from the protesters as they refused to return back. The PTI workers chanted slogans against the KP chief minister and party leadership and surrounded their vehicles.
Earlier, clashes broke out between the PTI workers and police near Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh ahead of its planned protest as the garrison city was put on high alert.
The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in Rawalpindi Division for two days, banning all political gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, protests and similar activities.
PTI had initially planned to hold a public rally at Liaquat Bagh, but shifted the event to a demonstration following directives from PTI founder Imran Khan.
It also withdrawn its application seeking a no-objection certificate (NOC) to hold a rally from the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Salman Akram Raja were also detained in their way to Rawalpindi near Sector H-13 only to be released shortly.
In a statement issued earlier, the PTI said Gohar and Salman were travelling to Rawalpindi when the police stopped their vehicle near Sector H-13 and took them into custody. “They [law enforcers] took both the leaders in a van.”
Following his release, the PTI chief — while speaking to Geo News — said that the police asked them to go back “instead of heading to Rawalpindi”.
On the other hand, Rawalpindi police spokesperson said that the city was on “high-alert” and police personnel were deployed at the city’s entry and exit points.
The spokesperson reiterated that no illegal public gathering was allowed at any place in Rawalpindi, warning of strict action in case of violation.
The Imran Khan-founded party, as part of its months-long efforts to secure permission to hold public gatherings, has managed to hold two rallies in Islamabad and Lahore under strict conditions in recent weeks.
‘Rawalpindi becomes battleground’
Several areas of the Rawalpindi became battleground with the police firing tear gas at the PTI workers and supporters, including women, who gathered to stage the demonstration following the directives of Imran Khan.
Geo News correspondent reported that the party supporters attempted to head towards Liaquat Bagh from Committee Chowk and Moti Mahal by removing the containers placed by the authorities.
Police resorted to teargas shelling to disperse the crowd, leading to violent clashes along Murree Road where Imran’s sisters — Aleema Khan, Naureen Khan and Uzma Khan — are also present.
PTI supporters retaliated by hurling stones and glass bottles at the police.
Along with teargas shelling, the law enforcers also fired rubber bullets to prevent the protesters from reaching the venue.
On the other hand, firebrand Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was leading a convoy to Rawalpindi to attend the protest — which Imran Khan said will be held ‘at any cost’.
Sources told Geo News that the Gandapur-led convoy reached Burhan Interchange with police shelling at the participants of the convoy.
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Meanwhile, other convoys from KP also entered Punjab and removed containers placed at Chach Interchange.
Security beefed up
In light of the prospective protests, City Police Officer (CPO) Khalid Hamdani cancelled the leave of the officers ordering all personnel to be on duty.
On the recommendations of the district administration, a request has been made to the Federal Ministry of Interior for the deployment of Rangers in Rawalpindi and Attock. Four companies of Rangers are expected to be stationed in Rawalpindi and in Attock, The News reported.
Authorities have sealed Liaquat Bagh from all sides as well as the road leading to the venue. Faizabad, Shamsabad, Chandni Chowk, Rehmanabad, and Committee Chowk have also been blocked off.
With the metro bus service also suspended, the road leading from Faizabad Expressway to Pirwadhai has been closed for traffic along with all the ones leading to Rawalpindi from the Faizabad bridge.
Also, the routes connecting Faizabad to Murree Road have also been blocked with containers.
However, Islamabad Expressway and Faizabad flyover are open for traffic along with IJP Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed Road.
Furthermore, the Islamabad police have ramped up security measures around the High Security Zone, as high-profile cases continue to be heard in the courts.
Apart from Rawalpindi, the Section 144 directives will also be enforced in Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal districts.
Authorities have deployed additional forces in anticipation of potential unrest, particularly in response to the PTI lawyers’ planned movements, sources revealed. Heavy contingents of police have been deployed on the Constitution Avenue and at all entry points of the Red Zone under the command of SP (City Zone).
Senior police officials have instructed officers on duty to maintain strict vigilance and ensure that no security breaches occur. “With key government offices, high courts, and embassies situated in the High-Security Zone, it is critical that we maintain tight security and safeguard these important institutions,” a police spokesperson said.
“We are committed to protecting the lives and property of citizens, and any disruption to peace will be met with swift action,” he added.
 Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has headed back to Peshawar as Pakistan){kind=link}