PTI rejects govt’s proposed venue for sit-in, convoy inches closer to Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The first round of negotiations between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ended without a success as the PTI rejected the government’s offer to hold a sit-in at either Parade Ground or Peshawar Mor. 

Sources said that the negotiants were held between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar and Adviser to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information Barrister Saif. 

According to sources, the government urged PTI leaders to refrain from marching on Islamabad’s D-Chowk, citing a business conference scheduled on Tuesday with Belarusian president and investors in the capital. 

The government proposed alternate venues for PTI’s sit-in, including Parade Ground or Peshawar Mor, but the PTI leadership declined the offer. 

Sources further said that PTI leaders remain adamant about the immediate release of their party founder Imran Khan.

They warned that if their demand was not met, they will march toward D-Chowk, the symbolic heart of political protests in Islamabad. 

Mohsin Naqvi is expected to brief the prime minister on the outcome of the talks.

Meanwhile, the main convoy of the PTI led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and former first lady Bushra Bibi has entered the jurisdiction of Islamabad amidst heavy police shelling.

The PTI has announced a protest rally at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on a call of former prime minister Imran Khan who has said that they will not sit idle until their stolen mandate was returned and arrested workers released.

The PTI convoy, which crossed the Islamabad Interchange and reached the 26 Number Chungi, faced intense police shelling aimed at dispersing the rally participants.

At Chungi No-26, PTI workers chanted slogans as Islamabad police personnel vanished from the scene. However, Rangers personnel remained deployed, taking positions to manage the crowd.

In response, PTI workers reportedly set nearby shrubs on fire.

Prominent PTI leaders such as Asad Qaiser, Atif Khan, Shahram Tarakai and Faisal Javed are also part of the convoy alongside provincial and National Assembly members. 

Earlier, KP Chief Minister Gandapur reaffirmed the party’s determination to reach D-Chowk at all costs. 

The convoy from Punjab has entered Attock district before it faced heavy tear gas shelling from police upon crossing into Punjab territory. 

Capital on Lockdown 

In anticipation of the PTI protest, the government has completely sealed off Islamabad. Key entry points to the federal capital have been blocked with shipping containers, and internet services in the twin cities have been suspended due to security concerns. 

Police, Rangers and Frontier Constabulary personnel have been deployed in large numbers across Islamabad.

Highways, including the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway and GT Road, have been barricaded with barbed wire and barriers.

In some areas, trenches have been dug to obstruct routes, including those leading from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir into Murree.

At Ghora Gali, roads have been rendered impassable with piles of earth, while the GT Road in Attock remains entirely closed. 

Rawalpindi Schools to Remain Closed 

Meanwhile, authorities in Rawalpindi have announced the closure of all educational institutions in the city for another day on Tuesday.

The Rawalpindi deputy commissioner said that both public and private schools would remain closed due to the prevailing security situation. 

“This decision has been made in light of current situation,” he said, emphasizing the need to ensure public safety amid the escalating political unrest. 

Earlier, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar announced that the protest call issued by party founder Imran Khan is final, ruling out the possibility of its withdrawal. 

Speaking to the media following a critical meeting with Imran Khan at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, Barrister Gohar emphasised that the protest would proceed as planned.

“I had an important discussion with our party’s founder, and his stance remains unchanged — the protest call is final and will not be called off,” he said. 

The meeting, attended by Barrister Gohar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Barrister Saif, lasted approximately 90 minutes.