ISLAMABAD: Thursday saw intense activity for Islamabad Police, who were occupied with managing protests from the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and a religious group while securing numerous sensitive locations across the capital.
Police reported that at least eight officers, including the Tarnol station house officer, were injured during a clash with PTI supporters at Tarnol, where a public meeting had been scheduled but was postponed on the directive of PTI founder Imran Khan from Adiala Jail.
The capital administration had revoked the PTI’s no-objection certificate (NOC) for the Tarnol gathering on Wednesday, citing the simultaneous plans of Aalmi Majlis Tahaffuz-i-Nabuwat to protest near the Supreme Court regarding appeals in the Mubarak Sani case.
To manage the situation, police deployed over 400 containers to seal key entry points into the city, including Faizabad, Tarnol, Rawat, and Bhara Kahu, as well as access to the Red Zone, which houses critical installations like the Supreme Court and Diplomatic Enclave.
Despite these measures, 800 to 1,000 members of the religious group reached Express Chowk near the Red Zone. Meanwhile, PTI activists also gathered at Tarnol Chowk, leading to a confrontation with police. PTI supporters reportedly threw stones, injuring eight officers, three critically. The police responded with baton charges and tear gas, and some PTI supporters allegedly fired shots during the dispersal. The police detained around 36 individuals, including an MNA and an MPA, with the injured officers receiving medical treatment.
In response to the ongoing unrest, the capital administration issued a new NOC to the PTI for a public gathering on September 8. The district magistrate’s office emphasized that the event must adhere to strict security measures and legal conditions, with violations leading to legal action and potential cancellation of the NOC.
