Dawood Ahmed:
Islamabad witnessed heightened tensions on Sunday as PTI convoys from across Pakistan made their way to the capital for the party’s power show, despite a court ruling deeming the protest unlawful and warnings from the government.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared the PTI’s planned rally illegal, instructing authorities to maintain law and order without disrupting public life. The directive coincides with the scheduled visit of the Belarusian president, accompanied by a high-profile delegation.
Defying these orders, PTI supporters began arriving in Islamabad. The party alleged that police were arresting workers and dispersing crowds using teargas. In a post on X at 7:10 pm, PTI claimed “extreme shelling” by authorities targeting protesters on Islamabad Express.
A reporter reported that mobile internet services were suspended across the city, with major roads, including motorways, blocked by containers. Images shared showed largely deserted streets, with some individuals navigating blocked routes on motorbikes.
Earlier, PTI Chairman Imran Khan issued a “final call” for nationwide protests on November 24, condemning what he called a “stolen mandate,” mass arrests, and the passage of the 26th amendment, which he claimed has bolstered a “dictatorial regime.”
The standoff has further strained political tensions, with authorities vowing to prevent any disruptions in the capital.
