October 5th 2024.
The atmosphere in Islamabad was tense as the army was deployed to maintain peace and order. Supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan had made their way to D-Chowk, the heart of the capital, to celebrate a symbolic victory. However, clashes erupted between Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters and the police, not only in Islamabad but also in Lahore.
In Lahore, the party workers were determined to march towards the Minar-e-Pakistan ground, calling it a "do or die" situation. Throughout the day, the police tried to prevent the PTI workers and supporters from reaching D-Chowk by using tear gas shells. However, the rain and a change in wind direction caused the smoke to blow towards the police, giving the protesters a chance to reach the venue in the evening. As the night approached, it was uncertain whether the protesters would stay or leave the place. The law enforcement troops returned to D-Chowk after the rain had stopped.
Khan had been imprisoned at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail for over a year now. In response to his call for a rally, the PTI demanded Khan's release, independence of the judiciary, and protested against the rising inflation. In Lahore, the party's Punjab acting president, Hammad Azhar, announced plans to celebrate Khan's birthday on Saturday and pass a resolution for "Haqeeqi Azadi" at the Minar-e-Pakistan ground. The PTI claimed that the Punjab government had arrested over 700 of their workers in Lahore and other cities in the past two days.
Earlier that day, Khan had posted a long message on social media, urging his followers to join him at D-Chowk in Islamabad for the protests. He expressed his pride in their resilience and courage in the face of obstacles, and thanked them for keeping the faith.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court had directed the Pakistani government to stop any unlawful protests during the duration of the SCO summit and allocate a designated place for Khan's party to demonstrate. Life in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore came to a standstill for the second consecutive day, with mobile network services suspended and major roads and entry points blocked as part of security measures.
Amid rising tensions, the authorities called in the army to prevent protest rallies by Khan's supporters in Islamabad and Lahore. The army would remain in Islamabad from October 5-17 to maintain law and order during the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, officials said. Pakistan is set to host the summit on October 15-16.
The army deployment in Islamabad occurred as PTI supporters, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, attempted to reach D-Chowk for the protest. After being stopped from reaching Islamabad on Friday, Gandapur managed to get near the capital on Saturday, and then left the caravan to reach the venue with a few vehicles. There were conflicting reports about Gandapur's whereabouts, with his advisor stating that he had left for the KP House for lunch and to meet party leaders. However, communication with him was lost when the CM House was surrounded by Rangers personnel. It was unclear if he had been arrested or taken into custody.
Khan, a 72-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician, had refused to postpone the protest despite calls from the government. In the days leading up to the rally, and especially since Friday, the authorities had taken strict measures to prevent PTI supporters from entering Islamabad or reaching D-Chowk. All highways leading to the city were blocked, and pillion riding was banned. Prohibitory orders were also imposed, banning public gatherings, political assemblies, and demonstrations in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The Metro bus services, which connect the twin cities, were also suspended. Police and paramilitary Rangers were deployed throughout the cities to stop the protesters.
Meanwhile, the authorities had cut off Lahore from the rest of the country to prevent PTI supporters from holding a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan. The provincial government had called in the army to maintain order in Punjab province, especially in Lahore. Hundreds of containers were placed in different parts of the city and at all entry and exit points. A curfew-like situation was in place around Minar-e-Pakistan, which was closed to the public indefinitely. Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated in a press conference that the government would not tolerate PTI's "anti-Pakistan" protest and accused them of trying to sabotage the SCO summit.
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