Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has reportedly been arrested in Islamabad, according to sources from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Gandapur had initially been leading a PTI protest convoy, which he left near Hassan Abdal before traveling to the capital for reasons that remain unclear.
Upon his arrival in Islamabad, Gandapur visited the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, which was subsequently raided by police. Initial reports indicate that his arrest is linked to an old case concerning liquor recovery.
However, security sources informed Aaj News that Gandapur also faces additional charges, including an alleged attack against the state and damage to state property.
Minutes after news of the arrest circulated, the federal government issued a denial, asserting that Gandapur had not been apprehended.
As tensions escalated, the situation surrounding the PTI convoy became chaotic. When Gandapur announced his intention to advance, protestors responded with a rampage, prompting police to fire thousands of rounds of both short and long-range shells.
Heavy machinery was deployed alongside the convoy during the police shelling. As Gandapur attempted to cross a checkpoint on foot, protestors followed closely behind.
The administration had previously dug trenches and placed containers to block the convoy’s path. However, the convoy, now ready to proceed towards the Bahtar Interchange, included hundreds of vehicles and cranes to clear the obstacles.
It’s important to note that Gandapur’s caravan had been unable to move beyond Hassan Abdal on the first day of the protest, spending the night in the Katti Pahari area. The unfolding events highlight the ongoing tensions and challenges faced by PTI amid their protests.
