The local administration in Islamabad issued a stern warning to Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) for not adhering to the terms of the rally’s officially sanctioned notice of consent (NOC), as reported by ARY News. The directive required the rally attendees to vacate the venue by 7 PM; however, the party exceeded this time during the Sangjani Rally on Sunday, prompting police intervention.
As the rally prolonged past the permitted hours, the district magistrate issued multiple reminders to disperse. Non-compliance led the police and administrative authorities to take action against the rally participants. The situation escalated when PTI workers, taking an unapproved route, clashed with the police at Choongi No 26. The confrontation intensified with PTI workers throwing stones, to which the police responded with tear gas, according to ARY News.
A police spokesperson detailed that the deviation from the designated rally route resulted in attacks on law enforcement personnel. The incident left several officers injured, including SSP Safe City Shoaib Khan, amid ongoing stone pelting.
In response to the violence, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi sought a detailed report from the Inspector General of Islamabad and emphasized ensuring top-quality medical care for the injured officers. During a telephonic conversation with SSP Shoaib Khan, Minister Naqvi inquired about his health and underscored the necessity of excellent treatment for all injured personnel.
Amid these events, PTI raised allegations that police fired shots at its members during the rally, which was organized to demand the release of the party’s founder and incarcerated former Prime Minister, Imran Khan.
Furthermore, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf circulated a video displaying scenes from the rally alongside a message highlighting the enduring influence of their leader’s ideology, stating, “You can jail a man, but not his ideas.” The party also shared images of a protest held at the Pakistani Embassy in Oslo, Norway, where demonstrators expressed their solidarity with Imran Khan, advocating for his release and the broader pursuit of justice and democracy.
