A case has been registered against several senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for their alleged involvement in acts of vandalism and blockage of GT Road during a recent protest in Islamabad. The case, filed at Tarnol police station, names prominent PTI figures such as party Founder Imran Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Chairman Barrister Gohar, opposition leader Omar Ayub, Azam Swati, Amir Mughal, Barrister Saif, and 350 unidentified activists. The charges against them are severe, including terrorism, attempted murder, and other serious offences. According to the first information report (FIR), the suspects opened fire on police officers, held them hostage, and detained them during the protest. Ali Amin Gandapur is accused of misusing government resources, while Azam Swati allegedly provided financial backing to the demonstrators. Investigations revealed that the arrested individuals claimed they were instructed by PTI Founder Imran Khan to gather at D-Chowk in Islamabad. Imran Khan is also named in the FIR for inciting party workers to carry out acts of violence against the state.

Law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts to apprehend the remaining accused, as further investigations continue.  On Saturday, normal life in Islamabad and Rawalpindi was severely disrupted for the second consecutive day as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) protests continued to paralyse the twin cities. Major highways and mobile services were suspended. In Islamabad, mobile and internet services were suspended, and Metro bus services halted. Containers were placed at the key entry and exit points of the cities, including Faizabad, D Chowk, and 26 No Chungi, to control the flow of protesters. On Saturday evening, police started shelling in Jinnah Avenue and Blue Area, as a large number of PTI protesters pelted the forces with stones at China Chowk.  Severe clashes were reported to continue between the police and protesters on Jinnah Avenue as well, with police personnel resorting to shooting rubber bullets and tear-gas shelling near China Chowk, while the protesters pelted police with stones near Kulsoom Chowk. The protesters also set fire at different locations on the Jinnah Avenue.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan