RASC News Agency: Islamabad police have detained 412 individuals, including 60 Afghan nationals, ahead of a scheduled protest by Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. This wave of arrests is part of an intensified crackdown on PTI members and affiliates preparing for the rally. As reported by “The Express Tribune”, the detainees were allegedly carrying spiked batons, slingshots, and marbles in the areas of Bara Kahu, Tarnol, and Sangjani. This move came as PTI, under the leadership of founder Imran Khan, called for a mass demonstration at D-Chowk, scheduled for October 4.
In light of these planned protests, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi urged PTI leaders to reconsider their plans, citing the concurrent visit of Malaysia’s Prime Minister to Islamabad. In response, Islamabad’s administration has mobilized a force of 4,000 police officers to manage the rally and prevent demonstrators from reaching D-Chowk. Enhanced security measures include deploying both Rangers and Frontier Corps personnel to bolster safety in the area.
Meanwhile, Rawalpindi Police Chief Khalid Hamdani assured that over 4,000 officers would be deployed to maintain order and safety, stating, “We will take decisive legal action against anyone disrupting order or damaging public property.” He also indicated that CCTV surveillance would aid in identifying and controlling any disturbances. Separately, Barrister Saif, advisor to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, confirmed that thousands of PTI supporters, led by Senior Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, would head to D-Chowk.
Gandapur had previously called on supporters of Imran Khan to rally for the protest, describing it as a “battle for genuine freedom,” encouraging them to “break the chains of fear.” PTI, despite its past role in facilitating the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, has found support among Afghanistan Pashtun nationalists especially those who have migrated to Pakistan to escape Taliban-led violence, extremism, and repression.
