The central convoy of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi, is heading toward Islamabad to demand the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and the approval of other demands. The convoy has entered Punjab’s territory and is currently near Dhoke Ghar, close to Burhan.
The convoy, led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, includes prominent leaders such as Asad Qaiser, Atif Khan, Shehram Tarakai, and Faisal Javed, as well as central and provincial leaders and assembly members.
The PTI convoy entered the Attock boundary, and as it crossed into Punjab, it faced intense shelling by police forces.
In light of the PTI protest, the government has completely sealed routes to Islamabad. Most roads leading to the federal capital have been blocked with containers, and internet services in the twin cities have been suspended due to security concerns.
A large number of police, Rangers, and FC personnel have been deployed on all routes to Islamabad. Highways, GT Road, and other roads have been closed with containers.
On the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway, barriers such as barbed wire and blockades have been set up. Roads connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir to Murree have trenches dug, and at Ghora Gali, piles of earth have been placed on the roads. The GT Road in Attock has been completely shut down.
In Rawalpindi, the Express Highway leading to Islamabad has been reopened, and life in Rawalpindi continues as usual. The highway was previously closed due to the PTI protest.
PTI leader Sheikh Waqas Akram posted on X, stating that Bushra Bibi is part of the largest convoy departing from Peshawar. The convoy, led by Ali Amin Gandapur, has already set out, and Bushra Bibi is heading to Islamabad alongside the workers to achieve Imran Khan’s goals.
PTI claims that nearly 500 workers have been arrested from various cities. Arrests of PTI workers continue in Islamabad and other cities. In Faizabad, police detained several workers, while in Rawalpindi, 35 individuals, including retired Colonel Ajmal Sabir, a former National Assembly candidate, were arrested. PTI alleges the arrest of 490 workers and reports that 100 are missing.
Internet services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi remain suspended, and metro bus services have been halted until further notice. Due to the security situation, educational institutions have been closed, and exams scheduled for today and tomorrow at Islamia University Bahawalpur have been postponed.
According to a notification by Islamabad’s district administration, all educational institutions will remain closed on Monday due to the prevailing security situation.
Similarly, the Rawalpindi district administration has announced the closure of all private and government schools tomorrow. Schools in Murree will also remain closed.
The Federal Interior Minister has clarified that the government is not intimidated by anyone and will arrest anyone causing chaos. He stated that everything is under control across Pakistan except for protesters arriving from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Mohsin Naqvi advised Ali Amin Gandapur to focus on maintaining peace in the province instead of protesting, emphasizing that protecting citizens’ lives and property is the top priority.
Punjab’s roads and highways have also been blocked. Containers across the province have been placed on roads, including Lahore, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Faisalabad.
The closure of the three bridges over the Jhelum River has disconnected Islamabad from Punjab via land routes. Meanwhile, the situation in Lahore remains unsettled, with containers still blocking entry and exit points in the provincial capital.
The routes to Adiala Jail have been entirely sealed, and the main road to the jail is also closed to traffic.
