November 24, 2024 – Convoys of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists from various cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have begun their journey toward Islamabad, with a large contingent led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. The march is expected to reach the capital by November 26, despite intense government preparations to prevent their entry.
Gandapur, accompanied by Bushra Bibi, has announced his commitment to reaching D-Chowk, Islamabad’s central square, declaring that no obstacles will stop them. “We will not return until Imran Khan is freed,” Gandapur told supporters during a brief speech in Swabi. Bushra Bibi had initially been reported not to be participating, but later confirmed her involvement, stating that as a family member of Khan, she is leading by example.
In response to the PTI’s planned protest, Islamabad’s security has been heightened, with significant deployments of police, Rangers, and Frontier Corps. Key roads leading into the city have been blocked with containers, and trenches have been dug on routes to prevent access. Notably, the Faizabad and Expressway routes have been completely sealed off, with further blockages near Rawat and the Islamabad Airport. Clashes broke out between police and PTI workers as the latter tried to break through the barricades, resulting in dozens of arrests.
By late Sunday, approximately, 500 PTI activists had been detained across various locations, including 60 from Faizabad, in combing operations, and several key leaders such as Aamir Dogar and Zain Qureshi. Police also resorted to heavy shelling to disperse protesters, resulting in injuries on both sides. According to sources, PTI workers threw stones at law enforcement officers in an attempt to continue their advance, but their efforts have so far been thwarted by the heavy police presence.
Further clashes occurred in various districts, including Faisalabad, where 75 individuals were arrested for attempting to reach Islamabad, and in Rawalpindi, where 20 vehicles were seized. Punjab police have also detained PTI leaders, including MNA Azeemuddin Lakhvi. Over 590 individuals have been arrested across the region in violation of Section 144, which bans public gatherings.
In Punjab, protests escalated at multiple points, including in Pindi Bhattian, where police used tear gas to disperse crowds attempting to march toward the capital. PTI’s leadership has claimed that hundreds of their workers have been detained across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including key figures such as Aamir Dogar, who was arrested at the Multan Toll Plaza.
Amid these protests, the government has also suspended mobile internet and data services in several areas to curb the spread of information and prevent further gatherings. With 30,000 police and security personnel deployed in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, authorities have made it clear that they will take strict action against any further unrest.
