NEW DELHI: Pakistan is in a state of turmoil as it witnesses widespread protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ( PTI ) workers as India's neighbor prepares to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Council of Heads of Government (SCO-CHG) meeting for the first time in Islamabad on October 15 and 16.
Supporters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan clashed with security forces at Islamabad's iconic D-Chowk . Majority of the PTI workers set out from Khan's stronghold in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday encountered roadblocks and tear gas.
Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi later informed local media that over 550 individuals had been taken into custody, including 11 officers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police and 120 Afghan nationals.
Senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser told Dawn they will continue the protest until they receive a directive from Imran Khan to call off the protest. They have been demanding immediate release of their founder who has been imprisoned for more than a year and is facing numerous cases, having been convicted in a few of them.
Pakistan's Geo news citing sources also reported that police arrested Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of the northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and key aide of jailed former Prime Minister Imran while he was leading Khan's supporters into Islamabad.
Police also arrested Imran Khan's sisters Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan on Friday. The party condemned the arrests, claiming the sisters were exercising their right to peaceful protest.
The PML-N, on the other hand, has demanded to classify PTI as a “terrorist organisation” in view of the “unending protests”, urging action against them. Punjab CM Maryam Nawas accused the PTI of of seeking to “set the country on fire.”
“Whatever I have been saying over the years about the PTI has come true today before the whole world. The PTI is not a political party; neither was it nor can it be in the future. It is a terrorist group that repeatedly is attacking its own country. The state should treat the PTI like terrorists; otherwise, it will be too late,” said Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz," she said.
" The PTI does not deserve any concession or leniency. On its frontline, there are trained terrorists who attack police and the state. Which country can afford it?,” she added.
Additionally, Pakistan Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi said that PTI is holding protests only to sabotage the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit
"Protesters wanted to stage sit-in till SCO summit after reaching D-Chowk," said the interior minister.
Pakistan's deputy PM and foreign minister Ishaq Dar also termed the protests as an attempt to harm Pakistan's reputation at the global level.
Additionally, the US also warned its citizens in the country against potential protest activity in various locations from October 4-7.
The statement from US embassy and consulates advised US citizens to avoid any large gatherings and monitor local media for updates.
"Large crowds and traffic congestion are expected, along with a precautionary security presence, an increased number of checkpoints, and associated disruptions to local mobile and internet networks in the region. Intercity travel and traffic congestion could continue beyond October 7," the statement read.
Meanwhile, Geo news reported that the mobile phone services remained suspended in Rawalpindi and Islamabad for the third day. Earlier, the Pakistan government had also ordered deployment of Pakistani Army troop in wake of the protests.
The Islamabad High Court also ruled that no unauthorised protests or gatherings will be allowed in the capital during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, according to ARY News.
The HC directed the Islamabad administration and government to allocate a designated area for protests. While acknowledging Articles 16 and 17 of the Pakistani Constitution, which guarantee the right to assembly and movement, the HC stressed that these rights are subject to reasonable restrictions.
Supporters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan clashed with security forces at Islamabad's iconic D-Chowk . Majority of the PTI workers set out from Khan's stronghold in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday encountered roadblocks and tear gas.
Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi later informed local media that over 550 individuals had been taken into custody, including 11 officers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police and 120 Afghan nationals.
Senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser told Dawn they will continue the protest until they receive a directive from Imran Khan to call off the protest. They have been demanding immediate release of their founder who has been imprisoned for more than a year and is facing numerous cases, having been convicted in a few of them.
Pakistan's Geo news citing sources also reported that police arrested Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of the northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and key aide of jailed former Prime Minister Imran while he was leading Khan's supporters into Islamabad.
Police also arrested Imran Khan's sisters Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan on Friday. The party condemned the arrests, claiming the sisters were exercising their right to peaceful protest.
The PML-N, on the other hand, has demanded to classify PTI as a “terrorist organisation” in view of the “unending protests”, urging action against them. Punjab CM Maryam Nawas accused the PTI of of seeking to “set the country on fire.”
“Whatever I have been saying over the years about the PTI has come true today before the whole world. The PTI is not a political party; neither was it nor can it be in the future. It is a terrorist group that repeatedly is attacking its own country. The state should treat the PTI like terrorists; otherwise, it will be too late,” said Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz," she said.
" The PTI does not deserve any concession or leniency. On its frontline, there are trained terrorists who attack police and the state. Which country can afford it?,” she added.
تحریک انصاف کے بھیس میں تحریک انتشار کا واحد مقصد ملک میں آگ لگانا ہے۔ یہ کسی رعایت یا نرمی کے مستحق نہیں۔ ان کے لشکر میں فرنٹ لائنز میں تربیت یافتہ دہشت گرد شامل ہیں جن کو انھوں نے پولیس اور ریاست پر حملہ آور ہونے کے لیے استعمال کیا ہے۔ کون سا ملک یہ برداشت کرتا ہے؟
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) October 5, 2024
Additionally, Pakistan Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi said that PTI is holding protests only to sabotage the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit
"Protesters wanted to stage sit-in till SCO summit after reaching D-Chowk," said the interior minister.
Pakistan's deputy PM and foreign minister Ishaq Dar also termed the protests as an attempt to harm Pakistan's reputation at the global level.
Additionally, the US also warned its citizens in the country against potential protest activity in various locations from October 4-7.
The statement from US embassy and consulates advised US citizens to avoid any large gatherings and monitor local media for updates.
"Large crowds and traffic congestion are expected, along with a precautionary security presence, an increased number of checkpoints, and associated disruptions to local mobile and internet networks in the region. Intercity travel and traffic congestion could continue beyond October 7," the statement read.
Meanwhile, Geo news reported that the mobile phone services remained suspended in Rawalpindi and Islamabad for the third day. Earlier, the Pakistan government had also ordered deployment of Pakistani Army troop in wake of the protests.
The Islamabad High Court also ruled that no unauthorised protests or gatherings will be allowed in the capital during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, according to ARY News.
The HC directed the Islamabad administration and government to allocate a designated area for protests. While acknowledging Articles 16 and 17 of the Pakistani Constitution, which guarantee the right to assembly and movement, the HC stressed that these rights are subject to reasonable restrictions.
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