Bushra Bibi, spouse of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, addressed supporters near the Hazara Interchange, vowing to continue the march until Imran’s release.
“This march will not end until Imran is with us,” she declared, urging supporters to stand firm. “This is not just about my husband but about the country and its leader.”
Bushra Bibi is accompanying the convoy led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Amin Ali Gandapur. In a video message, she encouraged more people to join the march toward Islamabad.
PTI Convoys Inch Closer
PTI stated its supporters were nearing Islamabad, with party leader Sanam Javaid Khan confirming the convoy’s progress through Hassanabdal. Key figures, including Bushra Bibi, Gandapur, Babar Saleem Swati, Faisal Javed, and Omar Ayub Khan, were part of the procession.
PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai reported that convoys from Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, and Hazara had converged on the motorway near Burhan Interchange. He alleged police resistance but claimed the rally was advancing toward D-Chowk “peacefully but at any cost.”
Police Clashes and Government Response
Skirmishes erupted as PTI workers faced shelling and roadblocks, but the party vowed not to stop until political prisoners, including Imran Khan, were released. Meanwhile, the government heightened security in Islamabad, sealing roads leading to the Red Zone and deploying personnel to prevent entry.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accused PTI of disrupting public order, especially with the Belarusian President’s arrival. He pledged strict action against anyone breaching the capital’s security.
Innovative Tear Gas Countermeasures
In a unique move, PTI deployed locally manufactured industrial fans, transported on trucks, to counteract tear gas. The fans were reportedly powered by generators arranged for the march.
Protests Continue Despite Legal Ruling
Despite the Islamabad High Court declaring the march unlawful, PTI supporters from across the country pressed on. However, participation in Punjab and Islamabad remained limited, with security forces swiftly dispersing gatherings.
The protest, termed a “final call” by PTI, faces challenges as the government intensifies efforts to prevent the convoys from reaching the federal capital.
