• Police detain, book hundreds of activists; cases also lodged against Imran, Bushra, Gandapur, Omar Ayub and other party leaders over violence
• Marchers seize police equipment, remove barricades in their path amid advance towards capital
• Bushra Bibi vows to continue fight for Imran’s release until her ‘last breath’

TAXILA / ISLAMABAD: A policeman, injured in clashes with protesters at Jandial checkpoint near Taxila, died on Monday as PTI supporters continued to overcome roadblocks and barricades on main highways, to continue advancing towards the capital.

Separately, police registered cases against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Dr Arif Alvi, KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan and hundreds of senior PTI lawmakers, leaders and workers across Punjab over violent protests on Nov 24.

The FIRs were registered under different sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), as well as the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

Constable Muhammad Mubashir, 46, who had travelled from Muzaffargarh to assist the Rawalpindi police, sustained critical injuries during clashes with protesters and was shifted to the DHQ Rawalpindi, where he succumbed to injuries.

His funeral was later held at the Rawalpindi Police Lines, before his body was sent to his native town for burial.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who visited the injured officers at the hospital, extended condolences to Muba­shir’s family, honouring his sacrifice.

“The government stands by his family in this time of grief, and all perpetrators will face legal consequences.”

In a late-night presser, Mr Naqvi revealed that a Rangers official had also sustained a bullet injury, warning protesters that they would not tolerate attacks any further on law enforcement personnel.

He also said that it was easy for the government to prevent marchers from advancing if they used force, but added that they were showing restraint because the government did not want to give the PTI more fuel for their agitation in the form of dead bodies.

Protesters reach Islamabad outskirts

Meanwhile, a pitched battle erupted at Chungi No 26 — on the outskirts of the capital — on Monday night between police and PTI protesters after an advance team of the party’s caravan reached the area.

Following the PTI caravan’s passage through Hakla, additional police and paramilitary forces were called in to reinforce security at both Chungi No 26 and Nicholson Monument near Taxila.

An advance party of over 500 PTI protesters arrived at Chungi No 26 after 8pm, leading to a massive confrontation with law enforcement personnel. The police used rubber bullets and tear gas, while the protesters retaliated by throwing stones and chanting slogans.

At the time of going to press, scattered clashes were reported from various areas on the outskirts of Islamabad. Footage shared on social media platforms also showed KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur’s vehicle, surrounded by marchers, present at Chungi No 26.

‘Fight for Imran’s release to go on’

Addressing charged PTI supporters and workers from atop a container at Burhan Interchange in Taxila, Bushra Bibi vowed to continue her fight for Imran Khan’s release until her “last breath”, urging the crowd to remain united in their efforts.

“Until Imran Khan is with us, we will not end this protest. I will remain here until my last breath, and I ask all of you to stand by us,” she declared, rallying the supporters. “This isn’t just about my husband, it’s about the future of our country and the leadership we deserve.”

Bushra Bibi praised the bravery and resilience of the Pashtun community, calling them “a proud and honourable nation” and expressing confidence in their steadfastness in the fight for justice. “I know the Pashtun people will stand by us till the end,” she said. “They will not abandon this cause in the face of adversity.”

Clashes on M-1

In Attock, which saw some of the heaviest clashes between protesters and law enforcers on Monday, police claimed that 80 personnel, including a sub inspector, were injured.

Two others were critically wounded due to alleged firing by PTI workers marching towards Islamabad on the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1), a police spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said that protesters threw stones, assaulted officers and fired directly at police present at Katti Pahari — located between the Burhan and Hakla interchanges on M-1 — resulting in injuries to around 80 personnel.

Constable Wajid, on special duty from Faisalabad, sustained a gunshot wound to the neck and remains in critical condition. Similarly, Constable Samiullah from Sargodha is also in serious condition after suffering a bullet injury.

Meanwhile, PTI workers also clashed with Punjab policemen at Pathargarh, off the M-1 near Hasanabdal. Despite heavy tear gas shelling, they managed to remove the shipping containers placed in their path, forcing police contingents to retreat and seek shelter.

The charged protesters also seized a prisoner van, using it to transport their supporters from one barricade to another near Burhan, before setting it ablaze. They also painted anti-government slogans on the vehicle.

Arrests, cases registered

Law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) continued their crackdown on PTI activists for the third consecutive day on Monday in several districts, including Bahawalpur, Multan, Vehari and Lodhran in south Punjab.

In Gujrat, police have booked at least 600 people, including former PTI lawmakers and officials, in at least three different cases for taking out rallies, blocking roads, creating terror, and other charges.

Meanwhile, the blockades on bridges over the Chenab and Jhelum rivers, as well as at the Sara-i-Alamgir city bridge over the Upper Jhelum Canal (UJC) along the GT Road, and all the roads connecting to the GT Road, continued for the fourth consecutive day on Monday.

At least 120 people were arrested in raids carried out in Vehari.

In Faisalabad, police arrested five people and booked around 260 in various cases, while PTI MPA Basharat Ali Dogar was taken into custody by Jaranwala police.

In Sargodha, the Shahpur police registered a case against over 200 people, including two PTI MNAs and two MPAs, over violation of Section 144. Gujranwala police booked 36 people, while 300 were booked in Khushab.

Waseem Ashraf Butt in Gujrat, Majeed Gill in Bahawalpur, Tariq Saeed in Toba Tek Singh, Sajjad Niazi in Sargodha, Akram Malik in Gujranwala, Shafiq Butt in Sahiwal and Mansoor Malik in Lahore also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2024