Pakistan's capital city Islamabad remained on the brink on Sunday, as it entered its second day of mass protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Hundreds of PTI supporters and members have also said that they will not call off the protest at D-Chowk in front of the parliament unless they received instructions from party leader Imran Khan.
The move has come following reports of ambiguity over the disappearance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
Gandapur's decision of leaving party workers in Islamabad and moving towards KP House "raised eyebrows, according to local media.
PTI's political committee, criticizing the disappearance of the Chief Minister, has warned that there would be 'serious repercussions' if Gandapur was arrested, Dawn reported.
It said that the committee further went on to decide that in case Gandapur would be arrested, he shall be led by Azam Swati and in case Swati gets arrested, then a new leader would be announced to be put at the helm of the demonstrator-protesters.
PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai has reportedly confirmed local media that Gandapur is still present at the KP House where he presented demands from the administration, including the immediate release of the party's founder Imran Khan and redressal of the PTI's grievances.
"Reports of clashes between law enforcers and PTI supporters emerged from various parts of the twin cities throughout the day amid scorching statements by government ministers and PTI leaders against each other. Meanwhile, roads were blocked with containers and cellular services suspended, giving citizenry increasing manifold difficulties," The Express Tribune reported.
Despite heavy security deployment, a rally led by Gandapur had reached Islamabad but some workers were gathering near prominent locations like Centaurus Mall and China Chowk.
PTI workers led by Amir Mughal had gathered at D-Chowk where they cut the cake to celebrate Imran Khan's birthday earlier today.
KP government spokesperson Barrister Mohammad Saif said Gandapur had been formally arrested, but later clarified on X that the KP CM was not under formal arrest.
He said Gandapur was still on bail till October 25 and that any such arrest would be to insult the mandate of people of KP and that such "unconstitutional and illegal actions" were something the government would have to account for.
Meanwhile, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said the protest would continue as the government had cracked down. He refused to speak when approached outside KP House for comments on whether Gandapur was likely to be arrested.
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