Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has declared that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will continue its nationwide sit-in, despite the government’s crackdown on party workers in Islamabad. Speaking at a press conference in Mansehra, CM Gandapur asserted that PTI dharna has always been peaceful, aimed at upholding democracy and the rule of law.
Gandapur highlighted several key grievances, including the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and what PTI claims was the theft of its electoral mandate in the February 8 elections. The Chief Minister condemned the violent response from the authorities against PTI dharna and protesters, who he said were met with gunfire during their peaceful demonstrations.
The KP CM further announced that the party would provide financial assistance of Rs 10 million to the families of PTI workers who lost their lives in the protest. He strongly criticized the government’s tactics to suppress peaceful protests, warning that the use of force against demonstrators would only escalate tensions.
In response to the growing unrest, Islamabad’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, revealed that 954 individuals had been arrested over the past three days, including 610 on a single day. He also reported the seizure of over 200 vehicles and numerous firearms during the protests. IGP Rizvi claimed to have video evidence of armed protesters, some of whom were masked.
The situation remains tense, with PTI vowing to continue their demonstrations until their demands are met, while the government seeks to curb the protests through increased law enforcement measures.
