PTI workers surround Gandapur’s vehicle, demand his resignation for asking them to disperse
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Saturday headed back to Peshawar as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s protest at Rawalpindi was “called off” after violent clashes with police near Liaquat Bagh.
The Gandapur-led convoy was stuck at the interchange hours due to closure of roads as the authorities have placed containers at Burhan Interchange in an attempt to thwart PTI’s protest.
Addressing the participants, the KP chief executive directed them to return back to Peshawar and castigated the government for not granting PTI its “constitutional right”.
He regretted that the police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the protesters, vowing that they will come back with “all resources”.
“They [police] have set a precedent of firing bullets […] We also have guns,” he warned.
The politician noted that the allocated deadline for holding protest in Rawalpindi has ended. progressed, Punjab Police resumed shelling, leaving Gandapur trapped in the crowd. Subsequently, he announced the conclusion of the protest and urged the demonstrators to disperse, stating, “We will return again.”
As tensions rose at Burhan, PTI workers blocked Chief Minister Gandapur’s vehicle, protesting the police shelling and motorway closure. They demanded that Gandapur lead them on foot. In response, the chief minister briefly exited his vehicle and encouraged the protesters to continue advancing. However, when some workers insisted he join them on foot, Gandapur lost his temper and allegedly used inappropriate language before retreating to his car. Meanwhile, Barrister Dr Saif, a senior PTI leader and KP government spokesperson, praised Gandapur’s efforts, stating, “The chief minister recorded a strong protest by crossing the Attock border and demonstrating on Punjab soil.”
Dr Saif also confirmed that the protest in Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh had concluded, and announced that, on the orders of party founder Imran Khan, PTI would resume protests next week.
Meanwhile in Rawalpindi, clashes between PTI supporters and police erupted and the situation turned violent during a protest march towards Liaquat Bagh. The area around Committee Chowk became a battleground after PTI workers removed containers set up by the authorities to block their path. Chanting anti-government slogans, large numbers of PTI supporters gathered at Committee Chowk, demanding access to Liaquat Bagh. The workers removed the barricades and began marching towards their destination. In response, the police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to violent clashes along Murree Road. The confrontation spread quickly, with major clashes reported from Committee Chowk to Liaquat Bagh. PTI workers retaliated by hurling stones at the police, who responded with more tear gas. The escalating violence turned the entire area into a conflict zone, with PTI supporters attempting to push through the heavy police presence.
Police reinforcements were called in as the clashes intensified, and several roads, including Murree Road, Committee Chowk, and Liaquat Bagh, were sealed off to prevent the march from proceeding.
