Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who was leading a convoy to Rawalpindi to attend the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest, headed back to Peshawar as major roads leading to the garrison city remain blocked amid party workers’ clashes with police.
Several areas of the Rawalpindi became battleground with the police firing tear gas at the PTI workers and supporters, including women, who gathered to stage the protest rally.
As per the reports, the party supporters attempted to head towards Liaquat Bagh from Committee Chowk and Moti Mahal by removing the containers placed by the authorities.
Police resorted to teargas shelling to disperse the crowd, leading to violent clashes along Murree Road where Imran’s sisters, Aleema Khan, Naureen Khan and Uzma Khan were present.
PTI supporters retaliated by hurling stones and glass bottles at the police.
Along with teargas shelling, the law enforcers also fired rubber bullets to prevent the protesters from reaching the venue.
Earlier, the Punjab police blocked the entry and exit points of Rawalpindi in an attempt to prevent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers from gathering for a protest at Liaquat Bagh.
The provincial government has banned all public gatherings and paramilitary forces in the garrison city.
Police placed containers at the Faizabad interchange, Double Road and Saddar, while Islamabad police blocked the Islamabad motorway at Hakla.
The garrison city’s main Muree road, which is a commercial hub, is closed due to the presence of police and blockaded roads.
In a post on social media, Rawalpindi Police wrote that security is on high alert and Section 144 is in force in Rawalpindi.
“Illegal assembly or rally is not allowed at any place, legal action will be taken in case of violation,” the post said. “Violators of law and order will be dealt with iron hands.”
Meanwhile, Rawalpindi police spokesperson said that the city was on “high-alert” and police personnel were deployed at the city’s entry and exit points.
The spokesperson reiterated that no illegal public gathering was allowed at any place in Rawalpindi, warning of strict action in case of violation.
Earlier, the police had also arrested a number of PTI workers and supporters, who reached Liaquat Bagh for the protest.
The Punjab government had imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in Rawalpindi Division for two days after the PTI announced protest in the city today (Saturday).
The notification, issued by the Punjab Home Department, prohibits all political gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, protests and similar activities.
The former ruling party had initially planned to hold a rally in Rawalpindi, but shifted the event to a demonstration following directives from PTI founder Imran Khan.
It had also withdrawn its application seeking a no-objection certificate (NOC) to hold a rally from the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench.