Live updates: PTI protest at D Chowk

At least 2000 shells of tear gas have reportedly been delivered at Islamabad's Chongi no 26 as a measure to deal with the potential crowd of protesters, set to stage a demonstration in the federal capital.

The law enforcers said that Operations senior superintendent of police (SSP), Safe City SSP and CIA superintendent of police (SP) arrived at Chongi no 26, while the markets present nearby were also ordered to close. 

As PTI supporters awaited departure from Swabi to Islamabad for today's protest, KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur appeared before the Peshawar High Court (PHC) to secure transit remand in two cases.

The PTI convoy in Swabi was supposed to leave for Islamabad in Gandapur's leadership at 11am. However, the KP CM couldn't reach the meeting point at the scheduled time.

The court approved the chief minister's transit remand and directed him to appear before the relevant forums on October 25.

After the hearing, CM Gandapur said that they "will not stop and keep going forward" until further directives from PTI founder Imran Khan.

"D-Chowk is our destination," he said before leaving for Swabi. 

The Punjab government Friday imposed a ban on pillion riding in Rawalpindi and Attock, read a notification.

The ban has been imposed for two days under Section 144 in the two cities.

Punjab government has summoned the Rangers personnel while imposing Section 144 in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Attock and Sargodha ahead of PTI's Islamabad rally.

A notification has also been issued in this regard, according to which political gatherings, sit-ins, rallies or protests have been prohibited in the said cities.

As per the notification, Section 144 will remain imposed in Lahore till October 8, while in Rawalpindi, Attock and Sargodha, it will remain imposed till October 6.

"Gatherings can be a soft target for the terrorists," the notification stated. 

PESHAWAR: PTI leader and advisor to KP CM on Information Barrister Saif has said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led government has "prepared Gullu Butts" to met out violence on the supporters of the Imran Khan-founded party coming to participate in the Islamabad protest.

"They are gearing up for violence against our peaceful protest," Saif said.

He, however, vowed to deal with those engaged in violence with "iron fists", while warning the Punjab Police to "stay in constitutional limits". 

Former PTI leader Shafqat Mahmood has advised the Imran Khan-founded party not to hold protests till Oct 17 as "respected personalities" are visiting the nation. At the same time, he said the government should also refrain from introducing "controversial" bills.