The federal government and the PTI have both denied allegations of reaching an agreement following several hours of political drama and instability across Pakistan in the aftermath of the PTI’s much-anticipated ‘Azadi March.’
The two sides participated in negotiation in response to the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s directives, but no breakthrough was recorded. The government and the PTI held negotiations for two and a half hours, according to Geo News.
Marriyum Aurangzeb, the federal minister of information and broadcasting, has dismissed allegations of a deal between the federal administration and the PTI. She dismissed reports of negotiations and an agreement as “false.”
Senator Faisal Javed, on the other hand, stated that no agreement has been reached.
Political tensions in Pakistan are at an all-time high, with all eyes on Islamabad as the city prepares for the arrival of PTI members and leaders who are planning to march to the federal capital against government orders not to.
The day has been full of political drama thus far. Multiple scuffles broke out between police and PTI demonstrators as the latter attempted to wiggle past obstacles set in their way, turning Lahore into a battleground.
Political tensions in Pakistan are at an all-time high, with all eyes on Islamabad as the city prepares for the arrival of PTI members and leaders who are planning to march to the federal capital against government orders not to.
The day has been full of political drama thus far. Multiple scuffles broke out between police and PTI demonstrators as the latter attempted to wiggle past obstacles set in their way, turning Lahore into a battleground.
The government has given orders to take “all necessary steps” to thwart the PTI’s ‘Azadi March.’ Law enforcement is on high alert. Imran Khan, the PTI Chairman, is leading the march, which he claims would be the “largest” in Pakistan’s political history.
Under the leadership of Chairman Imran Khan, KP's Haqeeqi Azadi caravan is moving forward. #حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ pic.twitter.com/1qv6Li1jJo
— PTI (@PTIofficial) May 25, 2022
Police attempt to nab Hammad Azhar
The police attempted to arrest former energy minister and senior PTI leader Hammad Azhar in order to prevent the Lahore rally from entering Islamabad; however, party workers were able to save him.
Police in Sialkot detained PTI district president Ali Asjad Malhi and several party members. Using tear gas, the authorities were able to disperse the workers.
Azhar posted on his Twitter account: “Our rally near Kala shah kaku was heavily shelled. But, inshallah, we will also conquer this challenge.”
Heavy shelling on our rally near Kala shah kaku. But we will InshAllah overcome this obstacle too.
— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) May 25, 2022
The PTI leader stated that unsuccessful arrest attempts had been made. He further said that the cops had assaulted the workers and had fired hundreds of shells.
Keep routes to hospitals open: interior minister
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has asked the Islamabad police and administration to allow all government employees on duty to enter the federal capital, despite the ongoing clashes. Meanwhile, he stated that journalists should not be stopped and that highways leading to hospitals should be kept accessible.
The interior minister has also tweeted that he will hold a news conference to discuss the matter shortly.
🖥➖ Will be holding a press briefing regarding the ongoing situation around 02:10 PM.
— Rana SanaUllah Khan (@RanaSanaullahPK) May 25, 2022
Police, PTI marchers clash in Lahore
When police removed obstacles set to obstruct the routes in Lahore’s Batti Chowk, they used tear gas to disperse PTI workers.
The PTI’s Lahore chapter has requested that its members congregate at Batti Chowk today, from where they will proceed for Islamabad.
The police fired tear gas shells to clear the scene after the party workers gathered at the crossroads and battled with them after they removed barriers.
Chairman PTI @ImranKhanPTI while leading the huge rally! #حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ pic.twitter.com/UUJ3XEsHOV
— PTI (@PTIofficial) May 25, 2022
Arrests so far
More than ten PTI workers have been arrested so far at Batti Chowk, and police have confirmed that other marchers have been apprehended on the Srinagar Highway. Workers from the PTI have also been detained in D-Chowk.
Police attack Yasmeen Rashid’s car
The police broke the window of former health minister Yasmeen Rashid’s automobile in an attempt to stop her from continuing forward.
The cops used batons to stop her, according to social media footage, but the car continued to proceed forward despite losing balance.
In an attempt to prevent former health minister Yasmeen Rashid from driving, cops broke her windscreen.
The cops allegedly used batons to stop her, but the automobile continued to proceed forward despite losing balance, according to footage circulating on social media.
“This administration has lost its mind. I am a woman in my eighties. Why are they making threats against me? Stopping a peaceful protest is not democratic.” she inquired.
Despite everything, Rashid said, the workers’ enthusiasm was more than before.
You can attack us, you can try to throw everything at us through your planted criminals, but you’ll never be able to stop this Haqeeqi Azadi! #حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ pic.twitter.com/sSghf61vpd
— PTI (@PTIofficial) May 25, 2022
Imran Khan reaches Wali interchange
Meanwhile, the PTI chairman has stated that he will lead the march from the Wali interchange, where he arrived by helicopter. “This is a decisive moment for Pakistan,” the former prime minister said in a video message before leaving.
قوم خصوصاً خیبرپختونخوا کےعوام کے نام میراخصوصی پیغام! سب لوگ سیدھا ولی انٹرچینج پہنچیں جہاں سےایک بہت بڑےقافلے کی صورت میں اسلام آباد کیلئے
روانہ ہوں گے، انشاءاللہ#حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ pic.twitter.com/prdiTUdJUx— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 25, 2022
Meanwhile, the PTI chairman has stated that he will lead the march from the Wali interchange, where he arrived by helicopter. “This is a decisive moment for Pakistan,” the former prime minister said in a video message before leaving.
Govt reportedly plans to detain Imran Khan
Despite the government’s decision to prohibit a protracted march, the federal authorities is reportedly aiming to imprison party chairman Imran Khan and his associates on their route from Peshawar.
According to The News, the measure will be conducted in order to prevent what Imran Khan has described as Pakistan’s “largest parade.”
The government resolved to employ all of its might against the PTI’s ‘Azadi March’ on Tuesday, with the police continuing their crackdown on PTI workers and officials. In Lahore, Karachi, and the twin towns of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Section 144 has been implemented, and the routes leading up to the capital city from various regions of the country have been closed.
Islamabad braces for closure
To prevent PTI marchers from entering Islamabad, local officials have barricaded all entry points with huge shipping containers.
The barricades were erected for two purposes: first, to confine the long march, and second, to ensure the Red Zone’s security. Except for Margalla Road, all roads leading to Red Zone have been blocked. The area around the Old Parade Ground and Parliamentary Lodges has also been sealed off with containers at D-Chowk.
Thousands of police officers, including the Anti-Riot Unit, Counter-Terrorism Force, Anti-Terrorism Force, and police reserve, as well as Rangers contingents, have been deployed to keep the city safe.
GT Road, Motorway blocked to stop long march
Meanwhile, barricades have been placed along the Grand Trunk Road (GT Road) and the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway. The authorities have blocked all land routes between KPK and Punjab by erecting massive piles of dirt, containers, ballast stones, cement blocks, and iron barricades and fences in numerous locations.
Heavy contingents of stick-wielding police and Rangers have been deployed on GT Road and the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway to prevent PTI workers from reaching Islamabad.
Roads blocked in Karachi
Meanwhile, PTI supporters from Karachi are likely to demonstrate at Numaish Chowrangi; however, police said they have made all necessary arrangements to prevent them.
Two prisoner vans have been maintained on standby in case any arrests are made. Lady cops have also arrived on the scene.
MA Jinnah Road and its surrounding regions have been closed, according to traffic police. Among the roads that have been closed are:
- The road leading toward People’s Chowrangi from Numaish Chowarnagi
- Corridor 3 New Preedy Street from Saddar Dawakhana road leading towards People Chowrangi
- Nizami Road (heading from Lines areas to Numaish Chowarngi ) has also been blocked
- Road leading towards Numaish Chowrangi from Capri Cinema has been closed; traffic is being directed toward Soldier Bazar.
- Traffic heading from Society Signal toward Numaish Chowrangi is being diverted to Kashmir Road
کراچی کے عوام نمائش چورنگی پہنچنا شروع۔ خواتین مرد بزرگ اور بچوں کے ساتھ ایک فیملی کو روکنے کی کوشش، شہری واپس جانے کو تیار نہیں نمائش چورنگی پہنچنے کے لیے پرعزم۔#حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ #PakistanUnderFascism pic.twitter.com/iK6ICmVOW9
— PTI Karachi Official (@PTI_KHI) May 25, 2022
Islamabad Police issues traffic plan
To help the public, the traffic police have created a traffic plan. Ayub chowk, NADRA chowk, Express chowk, and Serena chowk have all been closed as entry and departure points to the Red Zone, according to an official statement.
Those who wish to enter or exit the red zone can only use Margalla road.
- Ataturk Avenue has been closed from Nazimud Deen T-Cross to Geo Chowk
- Nazimud Deen Road has been closed from Zoom petrol pump to Ataturk Avenue
- Jinnah Avenue has been blocked from China Chowk to Express Chowk
- Murree Road is blocked for both sides of traffic towards Faizabad from Rawalpindi
- Islamabad Expressway has been closed for incoming traffic to Islamabad at the Gulburg Green Bridge
