Attempts by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters to march to D-Chowk near Parliament in Islamabad were met with significant resistance from law enforcement, who prepared for an influx of protesters from across the country.
Police utilized tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds that had gathered at D-Chowk. Among those arrested were Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, sisters of the imprisoned PTI founder Imran Khan, who were taken away in police vans for processing at the nearby Secretariat police station.
Despite heavy police presence and barricades, PTI supporters continued to arrive in the area. The Islamabad administration cut power to D-Chowk and Jinnah Avenue, further escalating tensions. The area had been fortified with containers and barbed wire to prevent access, with main thoroughfares sealed off on Thursday night.
Clashes broke out near Polyclinic as PTI workers threw stones at police, prompting further tear gas deployment. Additional confrontations occurred at Faizabad as protesters attempted to remove obstacles blocking their path to D-Chowk. The situation intensified on the Islamabad Expressway, leading to a broader crackdown.
Key access points to Islamabad have been closed, isolating Rawalpindi from its twin city. Roads such as Hyder Road, Fleishman’s Hotel Road, and Murree Road are sealed, while some routes remain open for motorcycle traffic. Rawalpindi's City Traffic Police advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel due to the unrest.
Islamabad's Inspector General of Police, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, confirmed that over 30 arrests had been made, emphasizing that the law would not be compromised. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is leading a group of PTI supporters from his province, equipped with cranes and heavy machinery, although his convoy has yet to reach the capital
