PTI protesters leave ground after ‘operation’ to clear capital begins

ISLAMABAD: Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), arrived Islamabad in caravans and convoys from various parts of the country to hold a sit-in at D-Chowk, have started to leave the area.

According to media reports, security forces, comprising Rangers and Islamabad Police, began arresting PTI protesters in an effort to clear the federal capital. The operation began soon after the press conference of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, clarifying that the government is not going to hold talks with PTI under any circumstance.

Earlier, media reports indicated that a high-level meeting had decided to clear the federal capital of protesters Tuesday night. As a result, the administration closed markets in the F-6, F-7, and F-8 sectors and switched off the street lights in D-Chowk and the surrounding areas.

Police and law enforcement agencies cordoned off D-Chowk and adjacent areas, including Jinnah Super and Super Market. The protesters were then pushed towards the G-6 and G-7 sectors.

Dawn News reported that PTI protesters began retreating from the site in response to heavy teargas shelling and actions by the authorities. They were subsequently pushed towards Zero Point, while D-Chowk, China Chowk, Jinnah Avenue, and Blue Area were completely vacated.