Interior Minister vows to protect Capital as Gandapur-led PTI convoy marches towards Islamabad

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has vowed to “protect Islamabad” as PTI convoys from various cities made their way to the capital for the party’s much-anticipated protest called for by its founder Imran Khan.

Vowing action against "miscreants", Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that the police have arrested a number of protesters from Faizabad interchange.

Talking to the media, the Interior Minister said, “No one has come out from the country; only PTI protestors are coming from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

Mohsin Naqvi said roads are not blocked like in the past. He made it clear that anyone who came to protest would be arrested. 

Mohsin Naqvi said the government has yet to decide whether to stop the protestors or allow them to continue. 

He said the government will protect the public from violence. He advised PTI that there is no use of violence as it will hurt the national economy. Naqvi asserted that the government will act on Islamabad High Court’s decision. Naqvi questioned why PTI gives protest calls during the visits of foreign dignitaries. 

Mohsin Naqvi said during the last PTI protest, 33 percent of the protesters were Afghans.

KP CM Gandapur led PTI's march enters Punjab 

PTI protestors convoy led by Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur has entered Punjab from Chhuch Interchange at M1 in Attock district. 

Thousands of workers and party leaders are part of the convoy. Long lines of vehicles can be seen on road. 

PTI workers are committed to reach Islamabad by crossing all hurdles. The first barrier for the convoy has been put up by the police at Motorway Ghazi Brotha canal bridge. 

Meanwhile, PTI convoy under the guidance of Opposition leader Omar Ayub is also set to join Gandapur’s convoy from Khanpur Chehnyia Interchange. Omar Ayub has advised PTI workers to join Gandapur’s convoy. 

Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, led a caravan of thousands of PTI workers from Peshawar to D-Chowk, Islamabad, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.

The workers will pass through Swabi on their way to the D-Chowk. Prior to the start of the march, the workers prayed for the success of their protest. 

A few hours earlier, police in Multan arrested PTI MNAs Zain Qureshi, Aamir Dogar and a PTI member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA) Moeen Riaz Qureshi, who were on their way to Islamabad to participate in the party’s sit-in at D-Chowk as the showdown between the PTI and the government began.

According to media reports, hundreds of party workers were arrested in other areas of the country as well as part of the government's ruthless crackdown. As many as 13 activists were rounded up on Faizabad flyover. Similarly, a government official earlier had an argumentation with the police personnel and later he was bundled into a vehicle and taken to a police station despite the fact that he showed his card as proof.

PTI workers clash with police in Gujranwala

A clash erupted between the PTI workers and Punjab police in Tatlay Aali, Gujranwala when the former came out on the GT Road to march towards Islamabad to participate in the party’s protest.

Ex-MNA and PTI Central Punjab General Secretary Bilal Ijaz and District President Mian Arkam were also present on the occasion.

When the police personnel intercepted the PTI workers, they started beating them. The cops had to run to save their lives.  

Later, however, the police made a comeback and arrested six PTI workers and shifted them to a local police station.

Police in Kotli arrest PTI office-bearers 

Police in Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir arrested several key leaders of PTI who were heading towards Islamabad.

Prominent among those who were arrested were Divisional President of PTI Mirpur Division Raja Aftab Akram, Chaudhary Rafiq Nayyer, Shabbir Gorsi, Malik Nisar and others.

Earlier, 24News TV channel had reported that the PTI, as part of its efforts to secure the release of its founder Imran Khan from Adiala Jail, was ready to march on the federal capital. 

The situation prompted the government to take measures so that the party workers could be kept at bay and prevented from entering the capital city at a time when the Belarusian president as well as a delegation from the country were due to arrive in the city.

All roads leading to the city were closed for traffic while the metro bus service and all other types of transport was suspended in view of the situation. 

The steps no longer remained confined to the federal capital as the Punjab government, perturbed over the situation, announced measures to stall the march of the PTI protestors.  

PTI’s Hammad Azhar again evades arrest

Lahore Police again failed to arrest PTI Punjab Acting President Hammad Azhar.

According to sources, after learning that Hammad was in the city to participate in the party’s protest, police conducted raids to arrest him, but in vain.  

Lahore Police on their toes as PTI marchers head towards Batti Chowk

Large contingents of police took their positions in and around Batti Chowk in Lahore on Sunday after the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Lahore’s high command directed the party MNAs, ticket-holders and workers to reach the chowk. 

On the other hand, all roads leading to Batti Chowk were also sealed after placing containers.

Okara Toll Plaza also closed

Likewise, vehicles were not allowed to pass through the Toll Plaza near Okara so that the protestors could not continue their journey toward Islamabad. 

Sindh-Punjab border sealed

Similarly, measures were also taken on the Sindh-Punjab border to prevent the entry of the PTI caravans from Sindh into Punjab as more containers were placed in Kot Sabzal and Daowala areas, resulting in long queues of vehicles on both sides of the divide. 

Heavy contingents of the police were also deployed on various roads in Sadiqabad, the last tehsil of Punjab, to keep the PTI workers from sneaking into Punjab from Sindh. 

Routes between Punjab-KP sealed

Likewise, all routes, connecting Punjab to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), were also sealed in order to prevent the PTI workers from marching towards Islamabad. Large contingents of Pakistan Rangers, Frontier Constabulary (FC) and the police were deployed on the roads to make sure no one could pass through the entry points.

Motorway M-3 was also closed at three different locations.

In a bold declaration, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced that the party's protests and sit-ins would continue indefinitely until Khan is freed. He emphasised PTI's unwavering resolve, encouraging supporters to maintain their presence.

Meanwhile, an audio message reportedly from Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan's wife, surfaced, instructing party lawmakers to mobilize massive crowds. 

She directed each Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) to lead a convoy of 5,000 people and Members of the National Assembly (MNA) to bring 10,000 participants.

In her message, Bushra Bibi also urged participants to document the protests meticulously, saying, "Take photos and videos inside and outside the vehicles and share them with us."

The situation remains tense as the government refuses to permit protests in Islamabad, prompting fears of clashes between PTI supporters and security forces. 

Authorities have sealed off key entry points to Islamabad and Rawalpindi to prevent demonstrators from reaching the area.

The coming hours are expected to be critical as PTI flexes its political muscle to press for the immediate release of its leader.

Yesterday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi rang up PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and discussed with him the prevailing situation, apprising him of the Islamabad High Court’s order, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Mohsin Naqvi told Gohar Ali Khan that the government is bound to follow the IHC’s directive. “Permission cannot be granted for holding a rally, protest, gathering or sit-in in the federal capital,” he added.

The minister informed him that a high-level 80-member Belarussian delegation is reaching Islamabad tomorrow and Belarus president will land in Pakistan on November 25 and will stay here until November 27.

The minister highlighted the importance of ensuring a smooth visit for the delegation, citing it as a key reason for the restrictions on political activities.

In response, Gohar Ali Khan said he will get back to the minister after consultations with the party.

It is also worth mentioning that former first lady Bushra Bibi will not take part in the November 24 protest of the PTI due to health reasons. According to Mashaal Yousafzai, special assistant to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, doctors have advised Bushra Bibi, wife of the jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, against travelling. She said that Bushra Bibi has already said what she had to say. She said that Bushra Bibi conveyed Imran Khan’s message to PTI workers. It is pertinent to mention here that multiple cases have been registered in Punjab against Bushra Bibi for allegedly speaking against Saudi Arabia.

Reporters: Amir Shehzad, Tayyab Saif, Irshad Qureshi, Shahzad Khan, Farhan Iqbal, Usman Khadim Kamboh, Junaid Anwar, Mohammad Imran and Usman Khadim Kamboh and Muhammad Nadeem Chaudhry, Zahid Iqbal Rana, Syed Rizwan and M Imran