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D-Chowk Protest: Scores of the PTI workers have been arrested, govt may deploy rangers in the red zone

ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Police have arrested hundreds of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and other cities, while the federal government is considering handing over the security of Islamabad’s Red Zone to the Rangers.

In Rawalpindi, over 170 PTI workers were detained in connection with the protests, arson, and vandalism at Liaquat Bagh on September 28, bringing the total number of arrests in the city to over 300. Police continue to identify suspects through social media videos and Safe City camera footage.

In Lahore, 84 PTI workers were arrested, many of whom were wanted in connection with earlier incidents, including the violent events of May 9 and September 21. The arrests were made in areas such as Kahna, Nishtar Colony, Ghalib Market, and Gulberg in response to threats to public order. Lahore police confirmed that Section 144 remains in effect and warned that strict action would be taken against violators.

In Faisalabad, PTI workers were arrested for breaching Section 144, with five cases filed against 116 individuals. However, MPAs arrested the previous day, including protest leader Hammad Azhar, were not named in these cases. Police reported that officers were subjected to violence during the protests, with nine MPAs arrested but none formally charged.

In Mianwali, 47 PTI workers, including 22 named and 25 unidentified individuals, were charged under various laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Act, for their involvement in protests on October 2. According to the FIR, the police repeatedly warned the protesters to disperse, but when they refused, they began throwing stones at the police. Tear gas was used to break up the crowd, and efforts were made to clear Committee Chowk’s business area.

Meanwhile, the federal government is considering deploying Rangers to safeguard the Red Zone in Islamabad due to the presence of foreign dignitaries attending the upcoming SCO Conference. Sources suggest Rangers personnel will be stationed at key government buildings and critical entry points in the Red Zone until the event concludes.

Amid the escalating political tensions, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has pledged to lead a protest at D-Chowk on October 4.

In a video message, he accused the federal government of obstructing PTI’s right to protest, labeling their actions as “fascism,” and vowed to reach D-Chowk despite the challenges.

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I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.

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