PTI’s 'final showdown': Islamabad sealed, highways blocked amid security warnings
Federal govt braces for major political showdown as PTI prepares to march towards Islamabad
On the call of its Founding Chairman Imran Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will stage what it has declared a decisive protest at D-Chowk in Islamabad today November 24.
The protest aims to secure the release of former premier Imran Khan and press for other party demands.
The federal capital has been effectively locked down, with major highways and entry points sealed to prevent protesters from reaching the designated venue.
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Convoys from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, are scheduled to converge at Swabi at 11 a.m. before making their way towards Islamabad.
Also Read: Terrorism threat alert issued ahead of PTI protest
PTI leadership has reiterated its commitment to reaching D-Chowk despite the blockades and government-imposed restrictions.
CM Gandapur vows to overcome all obstacles
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has vowed to overcome all obstacles to reach the protest site, even hinting at the use of private machinery to remove roadblocks.
"No matter how many containers the government places, we will proceed to Islamabad and stage our sit-in until our demands are met," he declared.
Shandana Gulzar, another senior PTI leader, echoed this resolve, stating, "Even if it takes us 100 hours, we will not back down. Wherever the roads are blocked, we will begin our sit-in."
Also Read: Islamabad police warns against violation of IHC order, Section 144
In a notable absence, Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI’s founding chairman, has chosen to monitor the convoys from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister's House rather than participate directly.
Mohsin Naqvi stands firm against lawbreakers
The federal government has reiterated its intent to enforce Islamabad High Court orders banning protests and sit-ins in the capital. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned of strict action against anyone attempting to disrupt public order. Speaking at Police Lines, Naqvi emphasized, "This time, those who take the law into their hands will not be spared."
Naqvi also highlighted the arrival of an 80-member high-level delegation from Belarus, stating that maintaining peace during the official visit is a top priority. PTI leader Barrister Gauhar, in discussions with the Interior Minister, has sought time to consult with party leadership about postponing the protest.
Heightened security and terror alerts
The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) has issued a warning of potential terrorist activity targeting the protest. It reported that militants had entered Pakistan via the Pak-Afghan border to carry out attacks. Similarly, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Home Department alerted authorities to the threat of a possible suicide attack during the protest.
Islamabad has been placed under tight security to counter these threats, with over 30,000 police personnel, including Frontier Corps (FC) and forces from other provinces, deployed. Major roads and motorways leading to the capital, including the Lahore-Islamabad and Peshawar-Islamabad routes, have been closed.
Combing operations against PTI workers
The lockdown has caused significant public inconvenience. Roads connecting Lahore, Faisalabad, and Jhelum to Islamabad have been blocked, while metro bus services in the vicinity remain suspended.
The police have already arrested over 300 PTI workers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with raids ongoing to detain additional activists.
Meanwhile, PTI Punjab’s Vice President and several other key figures have been detained as part of the government’s preemptive measures.
Flight operations to continue uninterrupted
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has dismissed rumours about suspending flight operations or passenger restrictions at airports across the country, including Islamabad.
The clarification comes amidst circulating reports alleging disruptions due to a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest in the federal capital.
In a statement issued on Friday, the CAA assured travellers that flight operations at all airports, including Islamabad International Airport, are proceeding as scheduled. "Passengers arriving in or departing from Pakistan will face no hindrances," the authority stated, urging the public to disregard baseless rumours.
The clarification follows media reports suggesting that international passengers may be detained at Islamabad Airport as a precautionary measure in light of the PTI's protest. Convoys from cities such as Lahore and Peshawar are expected to converge in Islamabad later today, prompting the government to implement security measures in the city.
The CAA has categorically termed these reports "fabricated and unfounded," emphasizing that no such directives have been issued. “Passengers arriving at Islamabad Airport or any other airport in the country will not be subjected to delays or restrictions,” the statement read.
