PTI’s Azadi March enroute to Islamabad amid blockades, crackdown, shelling

The government has cut road links between KP and Punjab as police parties continue to raid the homes of PTI activists. The authorities have also imposed Section 144 in Sindh, Punjab, and Islamabad Capital Territory, banning the assembly of more than four people.

SC asks govt to provide alternate place for PTI’s march

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the government to provide an alternate place for PTI’s long march –Azadi March- towards Islamabad and directed both parties to sit together and find an amicable solution to it.

The three-member apex court while hearing a petition against the blockade of roads in the federal capital directed the chief commissioner Islamabad to arrange an alternate place for PTI’s long march. “The chief commissioner and chief secretary should sit with the PTI leaders and hold talks to resolve the matter,” the Supreme Court directed.

During the hearing, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan said that a traffic plan should be devised to reach the venue of the long march. “The PTI lawyers should also consult with their leadership for the alternate space,” the court remarked and adjourned the hearing for 2:30 pm.

Clashes erupt in Lahore

Lahore police resorted to tear gas shelling and baton-charge in an effort to disperse Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters marching towards Islamabad for Azadi March.

According to details, the Lahore police launched a crackdown on PTI workers marching towards Islamabad for the Azadi march announced by former prime minister Imran Khan.  Former federal minister Hammad Azhar was leading PTI’s Lahore caravan.

As a result, dozens of protesters were arrested as they clashed with police at Lahore’s Bati Chowk.

Police try to arrest Yasmeen Rashid

Punjab police on Wednesday tried to arrest PTI leader Dr Yasmeen Rashid and misbehaved her while she was on her way to Islamabad for Azadi Long March.

According to details, Lahore police personnel have been mobilized to stop the participants of the Azadi Long March from reaching Islamabad.

During the attempt to stop PTI senior leader, Yasmeen Rashid, police also insulted the other women in the former Punjab minister’s car, while masked men also jumped on Rashid’s car and started attaching with sticks.

IHC orders release of PTI workers

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered to release of arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers.

The IHC bench headed by CJ Justice Athar Minallah was hearing a plea related to harassing PTI workers by the police ahead of Azadi Long March.

At the outset of the hearing, IHC CJ asked why the PTI are being harassed despite the orders of the court? The deputy commissioner replied that there were security threats issued by NACTA ahead of the long march and reports regarding weapons with the march participants were also received.

Islamabad admin refuses to allow PTI long march in capital

The local administration in Islamabad has refused to allow Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) long march to enter Islamabad while justifying it with a decision given by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

According to sources, the district administration responded to the PTI’s request to allow their long march in Islamabad, saying that they could not allow the gathering at the place identified by the party.

“The place identified between sectors G-9 and H-9 is not suitable for the public gathering as larger number of people could not be accommodated at the venue,” they said while citing the letter sent from the Islamabad administration.

Imran Khan’s message

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that he would reach D-Chowk Islamabad today and has urged his followers to reach there by 3 pm.

Read more:Imran Khan says no power can stop nation from reaching Islamabad

PTI Chairman Imran Khan has issued a video message for his followers ahead of their long march on May 25, 2022. PTI Chief announced that their only demand is a fresh election and they won’t stop until they get the date for an election.

‘Don’t be afraid of jails,’ the former Premier said to his workers. Our future generations would not forgive us if we do not come out today, he added.

IHC stops police from harassing PTI workers

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered police to not harass the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and party activists in the wake of the Islamabad long march.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued the orders to Islamabad police and administration while presiding over the hearing for a petition submitted by the PTI’s Additional General Secretary Amir Mehmood Kiani against the harassment of PTI workers in wake of the Islamabad long march.

Read more: AZADI MARCH: IHC ORDERS POLICE TO STOP HARASSING PTI WORKERS

The plea had mentioned Secretary Ministry of Interior, Inspector General of Police, Islamabad, Chief Commissioner ICT and Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad as respondents.

Federal cabinet decides to stop long march

Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday said that the federal cabinet has decided to stop the PTI from holding a long march toward Islamabad to ensure the safety and security of the masses.

He made the announcement while briefing media flanked by coalition partners about the decisions taken by the federal cabinet which met in Islamabad with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair.

“Federal cabinet has decided not to let PTI go ahead with its Islamabad long march in order to avoid the spread of fitna and fasad,” said Sanaullah, adding that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s long march is not “democratic”.

“No one has permission to dictate Islamabad,” he added.

Police crackdown on PTI leaders

Police on late Monday night launched a crackdown against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership across Punjab ahead of “Azadi March” set to being on May 25 (today).

Read more: FEDERAL CABINET DECIDES TO STOP PTI’S AZADI MARCH

The raids were conducted at houses of different PTI leaders including former energy minister Hammad Azhar, Usman Dar, and Babar Awan, Senator Waleed Iqbal, Firdous Ashiq Awan and others.

Section 144 imposed

Section 144 was imposed in Sindh, Punjab and Islamabad ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) long march towards the federal capital.

According to a notification issued by the Interior Ministry, Section 144 was imposed in Islamabad for a period of two months.

Metro Bus service suspended in Islamabad

The government has decided to shut down Rawalpindi/Islamabad metro bus service ahead of PTI’s Azaadi march today.

According to details, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) led federal government has decided to shut down the Rawalpindi/Islamabad metro bus service ahead of PTI’s long march on May 25.

Read more: ISLAMABAD METRO SERVICES SUSPENDED AHEAD OF PTI’S AZAADI MARCH

The service, according to sources, would remain closed for two days. The bus service has been closed at the Islamabad administration’s request.