ISLAMABAD: The PTI convoy has arrived at Zero Point Bridge in Islamabad. The situation has turned tense as clashes erupted between PTI supporters and police personnel.
The police have resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse the crowd, while PTI workers have responded with stone pelting, escalating the confrontation.
Told Islamabad IG to control situation by hook or by crook: Naqvi
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday said the government tried to convince PTI leaders through every way, but they only gained time from negotiations and moved forward towards the federal capital.
“We offered the protestors to gather at Sagjani. Their entire leadership does not want bloodbath, but there’s one secret leadership that is controlling all this, which was the apple of the discord,” he said.
He said he had told the Islamabad IG to control the situation by hook or by crook. All their supporters had come from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, you would not see a single person from Punjab with them, he maintained.
Internet services disrupted in parts of Punjab
Internet services have been disrupted in several cities across Punjab, including Multan, Rajanpur, Gujrat, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Residents in these areas are reporting difficulties in accessing online services.
Police engage in clashes with PTI protesters in Islamabad
Key routes from Faisalabad to Islamabad, Rawalpindi blocked
Key routes from Faisalabad leading to Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been blocked, causing significant difficulties for travellers.
Containers have been placed at various points on Motorways M-3 and M-4, completely sealing off access to these highways.
Additionally, the Faisalabad to Sheikhupura and Lahore Road have been obstructed at multiple locations.
Police register FIR over constable’s death near Hakla Interchange
A case has been registered at a police station in Rawalpindi over the death and injury of police constables near the Hakla Interchange.
The FIR was lodged at Taxila Police Station on behalf of the police, naming PTI founder Imran Khan, KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur, Salar Khan Kakar, Shahid Khattak, and others.
The FIR says that the attackers, armed with tear gas guns, rubber bullet guns, and other weapons, violated Section 144 and launched violent assaults on police officers and personnel using sticks and stones.
The document further alleges that the attack was a premeditated criminal conspiracy orchestrated by the PTI leadership.
According to the FIR, the suspects injured Constable Mubashir Hassan, abducted him in a red van, and later dumped him under the Hakla Bridge before fleeing.
Constable Mubashir Hassan was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Other injured police personnel included Constables Adnan, Raiyas, and Naeem.
PPP’s Shah slams PTI for spreading violence
Senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah criticised the actions of “certain political elements”, highlighting the irony of them being unable to maintain peace in their own province while disrupting law and order in others.
Shah, addressing the media outside an accountability court in Sukkur, emphasised that protests should not come at the cost of the state’s integrity and infrastructure.
He called for responsible conduct and warned against measures that harm the country in the guise of political agitation.
