Despite warnings from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, thousands of fervent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters gathered for a massive power show at Islamabad’s iconic D-Chowk on Saturday. The demonstration, spearheaded by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, quickly escalated into a charged protest demanding the release of jailed PTI leader, Imran Khan.
However, just as the protest was gaining momentum, Gandapur, who had led his supporters to the heart of the action, made a sudden and mysterious exit, leaving his followers baffled. His abrupt disappearance, which some sources attribute to an arrest by the Pakistan Rangers, added a layer of confusion to the unfolding events.
Before vanishing, Gandapur had addressed the crowd, reaffirming his commitment to Imran Khan’s release and vowing to escalate the protests. Soon after, the PTI political committee appointed veteran leader Azam Swati to take charge of the protests. The whereabouts of Gandapur remain unknown, with the government denying his arrest while PTI accuses the authorities of holding him in custody.
Throughout the day, clashes between protesters and law enforcement persisted, with police resorting to teargas to disperse the crowd. However, a sudden downpour, combined with gusty winds, nullified the effect of the teargas, allowing protesters to reclaim D-Chowk temporarily. Police later returned as the weather cleared, but skirmishes continued across parts of Islamabad’s Blue Area.
Adding to the chaos, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) failed to restore cellular and internet services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi for a second consecutive day, leaving communication severely disrupted.
