At least one policeman was killed and dozens injured in clashes on Monday as thousands of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protestors entered the territorial jurisdiction of the national capital on the call of the party founder Imran Khan.
The 72-year-old former premier, who has been in jail since August last year, issued a "final call" on November 13 for nationwide protests on November 24, denouncing what he termed as the stolen mandate, the unjust arrests of people and the passage of the 26th amendment, which he said has strengthened a “dictatorial regime”.
Led by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Khan's wife Bushra Bibi, the marchers began their journey from the militancy-hit province on Sunday with the mission to stage a sit-in at the D-Chowk, located close to several important government buildings: the Presidency, the PM Office, the Parliament, and the Supreme Court.
The authorities had blocked the highways by placing shipping containers but protestors accompanied by lifting equipment and other heavy machines worked their way by removing hurdles, but it skittled their speed and plans.
The convoy from KP led by Chief Minister Gandapur entered Islamabad’s limits. Citing PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai, Dawn reported that the convoy entered Islamabad from Sangjani toll plaza. The party also shared footage of the KP convoy in Islamabad’s limits.
The government has banned rallies by imposing Section 144, a colonial-era law used to outlaw political activities, as a high-level delegation from Belarus was visiting Pakistan.
But undeterred by the consequences, the protestors pushed forward by removing barricades and fighting with the security personnel.
In one of the clashes, a policeman was killed at the Hakla interchange.
In a post on X, the Punjab police said Constable Muhammad Mubashir Bilal, who was deputed in Islamabad to deal with the security, succumbed to his injuries caused by the “violence of miscreants” while carrying out his duties to maintain law and order.
It also stated that another constable of the Sargodha police was injured due to “firing by miscreants” and was being given treatment.
Local media reports said that dozens of policemen were injured in the clashes, but exact details were not available.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the death of the policeman and ordered that the culprits be identified and given exemplary punishments.
"Attacking police officials in the name of a peaceful protest is condemnable," he said.
The protesters entered the capital territory in the evening. Bushra Bibi said in a video message that people were reaching Islamabad and called on those who had not come out to reach the capital.
"My brothers, as long as Imran is not with us, we will not end this march,” she told her supporters at a stop near the Hazara Interchange. "I will stay there till my last breath, and all of you have to support me. This is not just about my husband but about the country and its leader." Separately, the party shared a message on X in which she said that following Khan's orders, his supporters have been trying to reach Islamabad after removing barricades that were placed on their route.
Bibi said that Khan had appealed to the people that “those who have not yet come out should come out for the future of themselves and their country”.
There were reports of efforts to convince the PTI to end its protest or agree on a venue away from the city to stage a protest as Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko was in Islamabad on a three-day visit.
Follow us
