ISLAMABAD: A convoy of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Bushra Bibi, wife of party founder Imran Khan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, has reached Dhoke Ghar near Burhan and is heading toward Islamabad.
In anticipation of the protest, authorities have deployed 6,000 police personnel at various entry points to prevent demonstrators from entering the capital. A heavy police presence is concentrated at Chungi 26, where officers have stockpiled stones and prepared tear gas and rubber bullets for potential crowd control. Rangers are also on standby at the site.
The PTI convoy, which departed from Peshawar on Sunday afternoon, was reported to have reached Haropul on the motorway by 8 AM. Irhan Saleem, a PTI district president, noted that the convoy faced numerous obstacles along its route but remained optimistic about reaching Islamabad by noon, barring further challenges.
As tensions rise, police have arrested over 139 PTI workers in Islamabad, with additional detentions reported in Rawalpindi. Across Punjab, approximately 490 PTI activists have been taken into custody, with many others reportedly missing. Authorities have imposed Section 144, banning public gatherings, and key access roads, including the Srinagar Highway and Khanna Bridge on the Expressway, have been closed.
In a broader crackdown, dozens of PTI members, including prominent figures, have been detained. The protests have also disrupted daily life, leading to the suspension of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus service. Internet and mobile services have been restricted in areas deemed to pose security risks, according to the Ministry of Interior.
Meanwhile, Bushra Bibi has emphasized the importance of dedication and effective activism among PTI leaders, warning that party loyalty alone will not guarantee electoral success if expectations during the protests are not met. She framed the Islamabad demonstration as a crucial test of loyalty, with the primary objective being the release of Imran Khan.
