ISLAMABAD: A police constable has died from severe injuries, and several others were injured during violent clashes with protesters of ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said on Monday.
Despite the police crackdown, PTI convoys led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Opposition Leader, Omar Ayub have entered Islamabad.
Thousands of PTI protesters are coming in caravans set out from various parts of the country a day earlier to call for the release of the party founder Imran Khan, among other demands.
The Punjab police in a post on X, said that Police Constable Muhammad Mubashir Bilal succumbed to his injuries caused by “violence of miscreants” while carrying out his duties to maintain law and order at the Hakla interchange.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari during a press conference also confirmed the death of the police constable.
The injured officer was rushed to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Hassan Abdal, where he was later pronounced dead.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the death and ordered that the culprits be identified and given exemplary punishments.
He also ordered that police personnel injured during clashes with protesters be given the best medical treatment. “Attacking police officials in the name of a peaceful protest is condemnable,” the prime minister said.
The clashes erupted as PTI supporters, during a protest march to the federal capital, clashed with security personnel deployed to secure key buildings and public property.
PTI Central Information Secretary Waqas Akram has termed it a lie and said PTI protesters were moving forward towards Islamabad peacefully in a disciplined manner.
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Meanwhile, local media reported that the first round of talks between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ended inconclusively.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held negotiations with PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif on behalf of the federal government.
The primary focus of the Govt-PTI negotiations was to finalise the designated protest point. Sources claimed that the government made a proposal to declare ‘Peshawar Morr’ as the protest site.
Sources further stated that once the protest point is agreed upon, the government will not impose any restrictions.
The government reportedly proposed an alternative venue to D-Chowk, offering facilitation if PTI agrees to the suggestion.
PTI’s leadership reiterated its demands, which include the release of Imran Khan and all detained party members. Sources indicate that the party is unwilling to compromise until their conditions are met.
Later, PTI leaders including Asad Qaiser, Barrister Gohar and Shibli Faraz have arrived at Adiala Jail to brief the party founder about talks between PTI and the government team.
A second round of talks between the protesting PTI and the government is expected. Local media reported that a breakthrough is expected in talks. PM Shehbaz has given mandate to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to decide on the PTI protest issue.
Rawalpindi’s Oil Tankers Association’s General Secretary, Nauman Ali Butt, had said that there is a fear of a shortage of petroleum products in Islamabad and Rawalpindi due to suspension of supplies.
He added that oil tankers have not been able to reach the petrol pumps as the roads in the twin cities have been closed.
All public and private educational institutions will remain closed across Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The decision to close the education centres was taken in view of the law and order situation.
According to official data, the PTI’s protests and sit-ins have cost the government Rs 2.7 billion to date.
In the past six months alone, the mounting expenses have surged to Rs 1.2 billion, largely due to the growing intensity of protests across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Islamabad.
The destruction of public and private property has also contributed significantly to the financial toll.
In a related development on November 25, a case had been registered at Ghulam Mehmoodabad Police Station in Faisalabad against the PTI founder, Imran Khan and 45 workers.
FIR filed on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Ashfaq includes 13 charges, including terrorism, vandalism, and damaging public property.
The FIR also mentions resistance against police and anti-government slogans during the protest. PTI protesters allegedly attacked police officers and personnel with sticks, according to the complaint. 35 protesters have been arrested, while others managed to flee.
