Islamabad puts at halt after PTI vows to protest at D-Chowk 

ISLAMABAD: As the government and opposition figures alike urge Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to postpone the demonstration, fireband CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur adamant to reach D-Chowk no matter what; even if he is alone.

In a video statement, he vowed to reach Islamabad’s D-Chowk at any cost. “We will reach Islamabad according to the directions of Imran Khan despite violence and barricades erected to stop us,” he said.

As the PTI refuses to postpone it, local authorities have placed around 300 containers on major roads and intersections sealing all entry and exit points of the federal capital, while around 6,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in and around the city.

Similarly, the Punjab government has taken stern measures in the provincial capital where PTI has announced a mass demonstration at Minar-i-Pakistan on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called on the party to re-schedule its protest in Islamabad after Oct 17 due to the presence of foreign dignitaries in the capital, including the Malaysian Prime MShanghai Cooperation Organ­isation (SCO) summit later this month.

We are fighting for the right, we will have a peaceful protest at D Chowk, we will certainly put up any obstacles, private vehicles should avoid traveling on Peshawar Islamabad Motorway, Ali Amin Gandapur.#خان_آزاد_کرواکر_رہیں_گے pic.twitter.com/WbfvOgZfBG

— Shahnawaz Gujjar (@Gujjar205) October 3, 2024

PTI puts condition

Following the request from the government and the opposition including JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who advised the PTI to delay its demonstration till foreign dignitaries left Islamabad, the former ruling party has put conditions to delay the demo.

According to the sources, PTI founder Imran Khan responded that his party would put off the protest if the government agreed to postpone the constitutional amendments till Oct 25.

CM Gandapur conveyed this message to the powers that be but allegedly received no response.

Former PTI lawmaker Shafqat Mehmood advised both the government and PTI to cooperate, saying, “PTI should not protest in Islamabad till October 17 because of the esteemed foreign guests coming. While the government should also accept the condition and not bring the controversial constitutional amendments in the parliament these days.”

Section 144, Rangers deployed

Amid the protest in Islamabad and Lahore in two consecutive days, the Punjab government has deployed Rangers in four cities of the province and imposed Section 144, banning political gatherings, sit-ins, protests, and rallies.