RAWALPINDI – Police in garrison city of Rawalpindi arrested several leaders and supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) amid protest as most part of city remains choked.
The confrontation between two sides started on Murree Road, where Imran Khan’s party workers clashed with police, who fired rubber bullets and tear gas in response. Protesters retaliated by throwing stones, and many sought refuge in side streets, assisted by local residents offering water.
In Attock, police targeted convoys heading towards the protest site, leading to the arrest of eight individuals. Despite the unrest, key PTI leaders had not reached Liaquat Bagh. PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan and Secretary General Salman Akram Raja were blocked from entering Rawalpindi.
To prevent the demonstration, authorities set up containers at 25 locations and deployed 4,000 officers throughout the city. Communication services were disrupted, with mobile phone signals and the Metro bus service suspended.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur described the events as a “decisive battle” for the release of imprisoned PTI founder Imran Khan. Tensions also escalated between police and lawyers from the Insaf Lawyers Forum, who attempted to protest at the district court.
PTI claimed its chairman and secretary general were briefly detained near E-13 but later released. Several other party leaders, including Samabia Tahir and provincial assembly member Tanveer Aslam, were also arrested during the clashes.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari warned that any disruptions in Rawalpindi would face strict consequences, as authorities sought to maintain order amid rising tensions.
