The law and order situation in the federal capital remained tense for the second consecutive day, as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers managed to reach the protest site at D-Chowk despite strict security measures. The heavy rain helped to lessen the impact of tear gas deployed by security forces.
D-Chowk, a symbol of PTI’s political struggle, remained a battleground between party supporters and law enforcement. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur spent hours confined to the KP House under the pretense of negotiating with authorities, amid conflicting reports about his possible arrest.
Claims regarding the provincial chief minister’s arrest emerged after he left the protesters behind and retreated to the KP House, where a large police and Rangers presence was noted. As law enforcement entered the KP House, PTI leaders and several media outlets claimed he had been taken into custody. Although this news was quickly denied, Gandapur’s whereabouts remained unknown even late into the night. When Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was asked about Gandapur’s location during a press briefing, he responded with a smile, suggesting the matter was shrouded in secrecy.
PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai later confirmed that the chief minister was still at the KP House, where he had presented demands to the administration, including the immediate release of party founder Imran Khan and addressing PTI’s grievances.
Despite the deployment of the Pakistan Army in the capital, government ministers’ warnings, the imposition of Section 144, and road closures, PTI protesters managed to gather at various locations, including briefly at the edge of D-Chowk, located directly in front of Parliament in the Red Zone. This not only challenged the ministers’ claims that access to the protest site would be restricted but also turned the capital’s Blue Area into a battleground, with multiple instances of stone-throwing and exchanges of tear gas between protesters and law enforcement throughout the day. Surprisingly, aside from the K-P Chief Minister, the main PTI leadership was not seen leading the rally or present at the protest site.
Clashes between law enforcement and PTI supporters were reported across the twin cities throughout the day, accompanied by fiery exchanges between government ministers and PTI leaders. Meanwhile, roads remained blocked with containers, and cellular services were suspended, causing significant inconvenience to citizens.
The government accused PTI of attempting to sabotage the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit by staging a rally at D-Chowk, insisting that such actions would not be tolerated. In contrast, PTI leadership argued that holding a peaceful protest was their right, particularly since they intended to protest for just one day without any plans for a sit-in at D-Chowk.
The inspector general of Punjab Police stated that direct gunfire had been directed at police forces. He praised the police for their efforts in maintaining order and assured the public that peace would not be disrupted, affirming that Pakistan would remain safe.
As midnight approached, the situation in the capital remained volatile, with ongoing clashes between the two sides, closed roads, and cellular networks shut down for over 48 hours. Reports late at night indicated that police and other law enforcement agencies had successfully dispersed protesters from near D-Chowk and surrounding areas.
