Belarus delegation arrives, president due today: Clashes, arrests as PTI convoys enter Punjab

ISLAMABAD: Amidst clashes with law-enforcers in various cities of the country and arrests of hundreds of party activists, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf convoy, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and PTI founder’s spouse Bushra Bibi, entered Punjab late Sunday night as it marched on the federal capital.

Islamabad was put under a security lockdown ahead of protests by supporters of jailed former premier Imran Khan, who are demanding his release. Highways leading to the capital were blocked and trenches were dug at various points along inter-provincial major roads to prevent the party activists’ march on Islamabad. The Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa border was totally sealed by placing dozens of shipment containers at the Punjab’s entry points.

One major convoy was being led by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, along with Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, from Peshawar to Islamabad. Sheikh Waqas Akram also confirmed that Bushra Bibi was a part of the PTI protest convoy and she was traveling in a separate vehicle.

Additional convoys from other regions are expected to join Gandapur in Swabi after which the combined convoys would head towards Islamabad under Gandapur’s leadership.

In Punjab, protest rallies were held in various cities, including Lahore, Multan, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Pakpattan, Faisalabad and other cities.

In Lahore, clashes broke out between the PTI workers and police on Lytton Road, resulting in detention of several activists. Among those arrested were Lahore PTI Information Secretary Hafiz Zeeshan, former MPA Nadeem Abbas Bara, Chairman UC Azam Yousuf and Advocate Zameer Ahmed Jhidu. Female workers were also among those detained.

However, political analysts believe the PTI Lahore failed to put up any noticeable show on the call of Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. The main rally was seen in PP-150, in which a thick attendance of party workers was seen. In the areas of Gulberg, Garden Town, Faisal Town, Johar Town, workers also gathered to chant slogans in favour of Imran Khan. However, in other parts of the city, not much crowd was seen and people mostly preferred to stay indoors to avoid any clash with the police.

Near Azad Chowk, a group of PTI workers exchanged heated arguments with Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari.

Scores of PTI workers were arrested in Multan and police foiled their attempt to organise a protest at Ghanta Ghar Chowk on Sunday. Police arrested MNA Aamir Dogar from Multan, when he was on his way to Islamabad. Zain Qureshi, MPA Moinuddin Qureshi and Rana Tufail Noon were also taken into custody in Multan. All the PTI leaders were shifted to undisclosed locations. A police official said on Sunday the number of arrests might cross 100 in Multan.

A heavy blanket of security descended on Gujrat district as local authorities sealed all major entry and exit points to thwart the PTI march on Islamabad. Key routes connecting Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, and neighbouring towns were blocked by placing containers. However, no major arrests were reported, as many workers went underground or joined convoys advancing toward Islamabad.

In Gujranwala, the district administration and police sealed the entrance and exit points of the city. Dozens of PTI workers were arrested by the police to foil their attempt to join the protest in Islamabad. Sources said a list of more than 1,500 PTI workers and leaders in Gujranwala and Wazirabad had been prepared for their arrest.

In Pakpattan, the police allegedly arrested PTI District President Riaz Arshad Niazi, Chaudhry Naeem, Ibrahim, Raja Talha, Saeed and Murad Bhatti. According to sources in the police, 94 PTI workers had been detained in the district.

Under the leadership of Rao Umar Hashim, Tariq Shah Khaga, Mehr Moinuddin Chishti, the departure posts of caravans for Islamabad were also posted on social media.

In Faisalabad, the PTI convoys could not leave for Islamabad due to the police action and closure of roads including Motorway Interchange and GT Road. The PTI workers and police came face to face on Sargodha Road, workers pelted the police vans with stones while the police fired tear gas. The police said more than 400 PTI workers were arrested.

Meanwhile, a PTI spokesman declared Nov 24 as the dawn of a new era with the shackles of oppression and slavery starting to shatter and the walls of tyranny crumbling. He criticised the government for turning Islamabad into an ‘open prison’, blocking the peaceful protestors from entering the federal capital. He alleged that the ‘illegitimate’ government had unleashed a reign of terror and violated sanctity of four walls to silence the PTI founder chairman’s loyalists.

Separately, former speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser said on Sunday the country had been pushed towards anarchy and the situation was getting worse day by day due to the wrong policies of the government. Addressing the PTI workers at the rest area of Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway, he said the country was facing many internal and external challenges. He was marching on Islamabad along with the party workers to attend the protest on the call of PTI founder Imran Khan.

Also, former president Dr Arif Alvi Sunday accused the federal government of attempting to suppress political dissent by targeting the PTI supporters. Talking to Geo News here, the PTI leader criticised the government for its “crackdown” on the party. “PTI workers from Punjab are being prevented from joining us,” said Alvi, adding that the government was cracking down on PTI supporters.

On the other hand, a high-level Belarusian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Maksim Ryazanov, arrived in Islamabad on Sunday, with President Alexander Lukhshenko scheduled to reach the country on Monday (today), according to the Foreign Office.

The delegation, comprising 68 members, included eight ministers and 43 business representatives. They were welcomed by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Additional Secretary for Foreign Affairs Shafqat Ali Khan and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Belarus, Sajjad Haider Khan. During the visit, President Lukashenko would hold detailed talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to enhance bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields. Multiple agreements and memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed.

Meanwhile, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reiterated that those who would be found involved in breaching law, would not be spared and be arrested on the spot. “Strict action will be taken against troublemakers,” Naqvi warned, highlighting the administration’s readiness to handle any disruptions.

Talking to the media on Sunday evening, he said that the purpose of PTI was to harm the country’s reputation, which was evident from the fact that when the Belarusian delegation had to pass through the highway, the PTI protesters suddenly appeared on the route and started stone pelting. However, Islamabad and Rawalpindi police foiled their attempt through a joint operation and arrested several protesters. He said that most of the protesters arrested were Afghans.

In response to a question, he said the situation in Parachinar was deteriorating, but the provincial government’s first priority was to march towards Islamabad. He said the situation in the whole country was better but only KP was coming to disrupt the country’s peace.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reached D-Chowk to boost the morale of police, FC and Rangers personnel. He met personnel on duty and commended their high morale. Mohsin Naqvi appreciated the personnel on duty for their dedication to duty and paid tribute to them. He praised the personnel on duty for the safety of citizens lives and property day and night.

The minister conducted an aerial inspection of Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Attock on Saturday to oversee security arrangements in light of potential political unrest. Following his tour, Naqvi expressed satisfaction with the measures in place, assuring citizens that the government was fully committed to ensuring their safety and maintaining public order.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar Sunday said the PTI leaders were offering voluntary arrests. Talking to the media in Islamabad, he reiterated that the strictest legal action would be taken against those who spread chaos in the capital city. He claimed that many PTI people did not want their leader to come out of jail; similarly, many people contacted the administration and requested for their arrest.

Separately, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said once again the PTI wanted to sabotage the country’s development journey through protests. “Courts are the only way out to get the PTI founder released. Pakistan will not be allowed to fall victim to the ego of any one person,” he said while addressing a press conference in Lahore on Sunday.

The federal minister made it clear that the government could not release the PTI founder through any administrative order; he would have to file his case in courts for his release. “The PTI founder is not in jail to fulfil any legal requirement but for theft, fraud and sedition,” he added.

Also, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar Sunday questioned PTI’s repeated calls for strikes, terming them a well-thought-out conspiracy against the country’s prestige.

In a press statement, he expressed his regret over PTI’s protest announced for Nov 24 in Islamabad. He said the party announced its protests at a time when important personalities were on a visit to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Petroleum Dr Musaddik Malik claimed that the PTI leaders did not want the release of Imran Khan. Speaking at a news conference in Karachi, he alleged KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was trying to attack Punjab and Islamabad.

Also, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said the situation in Kurram, Bannu and Bara was sensitive, but unfortunately KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was busy in making preparations to run over the federation. In a statement issued here on Sunday, she said Gandapur should focus on welfare of people, but regrettably he was acting as puppet of Adiala jail’s prisoner.

Separately, the PPP said the nation had rejected rioting in the name of PTI’s protest. “PTI has no concern for the lives and property of people,” said PPP Secretary Information Shazia Marri in a statement on Sunday.