Islamabad
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) accused Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of ordering tear gas shelling on protesters at D-Chowk in Islamabad on Saturday. Security personnel were seen using tear gas against the demonstrators. PTI has been staging protests in Islamabad and Lahore against the government.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur arrived in Islamabad with his convoy to join the protests. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated, urged supporters to continue heading to D-Chowk and praised the people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, North Punjab, and Islamabad for their efforts. He also encouraged people from Punjab to move towards Minar-i-Pakistan in Lahore or join protests in their cities.
Khan described the demonstrations as a ‘fight for Haqeeqi Azadi,’ aiming to secure true freedom within the constitution and rule of law as envisioned by Pakistan’s founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
On Friday, PTI reported the arrest of Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, during protests at D-Chowk. The party condemned the arrests, calling the government’s actions ‘fascist.’ In response to the ongoing unrest, the Punjab government imposed Section 144, banning political gatherings in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Attock, and Sargodha. Rangers were deployed to maintain law and order, particularly in Lahore, with restrictions set to remain in place until October 6.
