PTI protestors reach near Zero point Islamabad

ISLAMABAD:  Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) protestors led by Bushra Bibi, spouse of Imran Khan, has reached near zero point Islamabad despite the government’s efforts to calm down the situation.

Despite earlier agreeing to an alternative protest site, Bushra Bibi has refused to comply, intensifying the situation. Four rangers have been martyred as the PTI protestors rammed their car into them.

Bushra Bibi while addressing supporters from a container, urged for peace, said, “We will reach D-Chowk and will not return till Imran Khan is released”. The PTI protestors after reaching zero point are now moving towards D-Chowk.

“We will not enter the Red Zone but will stage a sit-in at D-Chowk. Imran Khan’s next course of action will be revealed upon reaching the venue”, she told the supporters.

Addressing the supporters, she urged everyone to remain peaceful and called on the administration to ensure no harm comes to their participants, including children, elders, and brothers. “We hope everyone will show restraint and cooperate,” she said.

Meanwhile Defence Minister Khawaja Asif appearing in a private TV channel talk show has asserted that the talks have ended “inconclusively” as former first lady Bushra Bibi, who is leading the caravan, “can smell blood and is in no mood to compromise”.

Imposing curfew in Islamabad on the cards, warns Mohsin Naqvi

“She [Bushra] knows she is close to D-Chowk and has become a leader […] she will press the advantage she has,” the PML-N leader said while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’.

“Imran knows his wife is controlling the situation,” he said, reiterating that the government should demonstrate its resolve as the situation is deteriorating and if they reached D-Chowk and staged a sit-in “it will be a huge setback for the country”, he was quoted as saying by Geo News.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has also warned of imposing curfew in Islamabad if the PTI protestors cross the government’s red lines.

The protests have led to road closures at several locations in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, causing significant inconvenience to residents.

Schools remain closed, and internet services are partially suspended, adding to the disruptions in the twin cities.