ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), in the early hours of Wednesday, announced that it was calling off its Islamabad protest sit-in “for the time being”, after a government action in the city’s Red Zone ended in the party leadership’s quick retreat.
In the early hours of Wednesday, a press release shared by the PTI on its official X account read: We announce the suspension of the protest for the time being.”
What Happened on Tuesday’s Night?
Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies in a late night operation cleared Islamabad’s Blue Area and dispersed the PTI protestors who had marched to the federal capital demanding the release of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan.
Pakistan former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur who were leading the protest, escaped from the venue in a vehicle during the government crackdown.
Local media reported heavy tear gas shelling in the area on Tuesday night. The main container used by PTI leaders also caught fire.
The Blue Area of Islamabad has been cleared of protestors, said security sources. The security sources said that there is currently no one in the Blue Area of the federal capital.
Life in Islamabad Returning to Normal
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon has issued directives to all assistant commissioners to ensure the immediate reopening of all closed routes across the federal capital, according to local media reports.
In addition to reopening the roads in the city, the deputy commissioner has also instructed that cleaning arrangements be made across all major roads.
READ ALSO: Pakistan LEAs Clear Islamabad’s Blue Area of PTI Protestors in Late Night Operation
Reports said that Capital Development Authority (CDA) has started work to clean Jinnah Avenue and other roads in the city following the PTI protest.
Similarly, Faizabad interchange connecting Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been reopened for all traffic between the twin cities.
Motorways Reopened
A local television cited Pakistan’s motorway authorities as saying that all motorways have been reopened for traffic. The authorities said that the Islamabad to Lahore motorway (M-2) is now accessible while the Lahore-Sialkot motorway has also been restored for traffic.
In addition to these, motorways M-3, M-4, and M-5 have also been reopened, the local authorities said.
Situation on GT Road
Local media cited Gujranwala deputy commissioner as saying that all obstacles on GT Road and other routes have been cleared to provide ease to commuters.
The official claimed that operations to clear the roads were carried out efficiently to minimise disruption for the public.
Before the clearness of Blue Area, Islamabad, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has chaired a meeting in which it was decided that no talks would be held with opposition Pakistan Tehrik-Insaf (PTI) protesters.
Naqvi, speaking to the media alongside Information Minister Atta Tarar, condemned the demonstrators, stating that they were not peaceful and described them as “Afghans,” implying their lack of affiliation with Pakistan’s national interests.
The ministers clarified that talks are reserved for peaceful protesters and citizens, not for those involved in violent actions. “A woman is behind this chaos,” he said, referring to Bushra Bibi, wife of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said that Bushra Bibi wants blood and bodies.
“Shells have been fired at police officers. The state is not weak; we will maintain our authority.”
