PTI protest: Bushra Bibi, CM Gandapur make a run for it as 450 protesters arrested
More than 450 individuals were arrested during the operation while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership remained out of sight.
ISLAMABAD ( WEB NEWS )
Police and Rangers have successfully cleared the Blue Area in Islamabad after launching a crackdown on protesters who had gathered in the area on Tuesday. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder’s wife Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur reportedly fled D-Chowk as authorities launched a grand operation against the protesters
More than 450 individuals were arrested during the operation while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership remained out of sight.
Sources indicated that authorities have so far mainly arrested PTI activists who had allegedly attacked security forces during the protests. Additionally, a grand operation is reportedly being prepared to arrest more demonstrators in the coming hours.
According to these sources, special teams have been formed to target PTI leaders, including Bushra Bibi, wife of Imran Khan, and K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, with plans to apprehend them as part of ongoing security operations.
Special units from the Islamabad Police, Punjab Police, and Rangers have been tasked with capturing the top leadership of PTI, with a strategy already in place to carry out the arrests. The authorities are focusing their efforts on bringing key figures from PTI to justice amid the continuing standoff.
Vehicles were removed from streets between Khayaban-e-Suharwardy and Aabpara while shops and cars in the Blue Area adjacent to D-Chowk were also cleared as part of the security operation.
The violent unrest followed a large demonstration by PTI supporters demanding the release of the party’s founder, Imran Khan, along with other political grievances.
According to reports from local media, the protest turned chaotic as security forces deployed heavy tear gas shelling and conducted arrests to disperse the crowd.
As the authorities ramped up their action, PTI protesters began retreating from D-Chowk, the venue for the party’s highly anticipated power show.
Widespread blackouts in various parts of Islamabad were reported, including D-Chowk, Jinnah Avenue, and surrounding areas. The power outages added to the confusion and disruption during the protest.
PTI shared footage on social media alleging that law enforcement had fired on their protesters, with the party accusing the authorities of intensifying the shelling to disperse the crowds. Videos circulating online showed police and Rangers clashing with protesters, with some reports of injuries.
On November 26, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder’s wife Bushra Bibi of orchestrating all the chaos that led to loss of life and property in Islamabad, without naming her, as he addressed the press in the capital amid PTI protest.
Naqvi stated that the authorities had successfully cleared the protesters from D-Chowk, pushing them back to several roundabouts, and emphasised that no talks would be held with the demonstrators.
Further, without naming Bushra Bibi, wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, Naqvi blamed her for orchestrating fatalities and property losses.
Naqvi also accused the PTI protesters of attempting to provoke violence, alleging their goal was to create martyrs by causing casualties, a scenario the government worked hard to avoid.
He explained that the government had successfully cleared the D-Chowk area without any loss of life, despite the violent tactics used by the PTI protesters.
He also displayed marbles and shells used by the protesters to attack law enforcement, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Tarar further accused PTI of organising the protest with foreign assistance, specifically naming Afghan nationals, including a 16-year-old boy and a daily wageworker from Swat, as examples of foreign involvement.
He stated that Bushra Bibi is pressuring Ali Amin Gandapur to lead the protest. Tarar directly challenged both Bushra Bibi and PTI to bring forward her family members, including her sons, for further confrontation. He questioned whether they were seeking an NRO or a deal, emphasizing that all cases are in the courts and should be addressed there.
Tarar described Bushra Bibi as a woman seeking bloodshed, which is why she encourages Ali Amin Gandapur to take the lead in the protests.
He warned that the government had repelled PTI’s assault and would not entertain any further negotiations, citing ongoing court cases and questioning what could be discussed with protesters under such circumstances.
He also warned against testing the state’s patience, accusing PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, of seeking to achieve their political goals through violence and bloodshed.