LAHORE: Police entered the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally site in Lahore as official time allocated for the public gathering at Kahna expired at 6pm on Saturday. The main stage began to empty and attendees have started to leave, with police now positioned close to the central stage.
As participants began leaving the rally, all lights at the Kahna venue were turned off, plunging the rally site into darkness. The only source of illumination came from the mobile phone lights of the remaining attendees.
PTI workers clash with police at Kala Shah Kaku Motorway Interchange
Reacting to local adiminstration’s actions, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers clashed with police at the Kala Shah Kaku Motorway Interchange near Ferozwala, resulting in several vehicles being damaged.
Eyewitnesses reported that the enraged PTI supporters smashed windows of multiple vehicles during the confrontation. The protesters blocked roads in both directions, chanting slogans and causing significant disruption.
The violent actions of the protesters severely impacted traffic flow in the area, leading to widespread chaos.
Earlier, Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza had directed the rally organisers to adhere to the approved schedule, which allowed the event to take place from 3pm to 6pm.
“The rally must conclude by 6pm,” stated DC Lahore Syed Musa Raza in a press release, emphasising the need for immediate compliance. He warned that any violation of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) would result in legal action.
To manage the situation, police have been deployed at key entry and exit points in Lahore, with specific instructions from the district administration to enforce the rally’s end time. Sources indicate that the New Ravi Bridge has been completely closed, causing significant inconvenience to citizens.
Furthermore, the police have been instructed to file cases against any violations of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to the event. As the rally extends beyond its permitted time, the authorities remain vigilant, prepared to take necessary actions to ensure compliance with the law.
Many attendees were seen parking their vehicles four to five kilometres away and walking to the venue, carrying party and national flags. They also wore PTI-branded scarves and caps.
The rally site and the surrounding routes had no lighting arrangements, causing difficulties for participants. Near General Hospital, heavy traffic congestion was reported, with long queues of vehicles, motorcycles, and rickshaws. Some supporters from Lahore and other cities struggled to find their way to the venue, getting stuck between Ferozepur Road and Defence Road.
“PTI’s allocated time for the rally has ended,” stated Azma Bukhari. She added, “They should now pack up their tents, canopies, and sound systems and go home.”
Meanwhile, a heavy police presence was observed along various points on the route to the rally venue, with strict security measures in place.
Stalls selling PTI-branded items were set up along the route, and thousands of chairs were placed at the venue in preparation for the event.
Before the rally, PTI supporters claimed that police had begun confiscating their lights, generators, and speakers, and were preventing them from reaching the rally site.
‘Punjab govt panicking’
Meanwhile, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif has accused the Punjab government of panicking as the K-P convoy successfully reached Lahore for the rally, despite road closures and other obstacles.
“The Punjab government’s fear is proof of the rally’s success,” Saif remarked. He criticised the authorities for blocking routes leading to the rally site, claiming that the excuse of the rally’s time limit being exceeded was a cover for their weakness.
Saif further stated that the enthusiasm of the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is the real reason behind the Punjab government’s panic. He called the road closures around the rally site a clear sign of the administration’s failure.
“The arrival of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa convoy in Lahore is a demonstration of public power against the government,” Saif asserted. He dismissed the Punjab government’s claims as false, highlighting that the rally’s success was evident from the public’s passion.
He also pointed out that the government’s attempts to stop the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa from attending the rally had failed. “Using the time limit as an excuse, the Punjab government is trying to hide its shortcomings,” he said.
Despite the roadblocks, Saif confirmed that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa convoy managed to reach the rally site. “The Punjab government’s fear is evidence that this rally is historic,” he added.
Barrister Saif also stated that the government’s frantic efforts to stop the convoy were a sign of their nervousness in the face of public power. “The attempt to forcibly stop the rally only proves its success,” he concluded, congratulating PTI on holding a successful event.
A PTI convoy led by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur departed for Lahore earlier in the day. The convoy, which included baton-wielding workers and party leaders from southern districts and Peshawar City, made its way to Lahore via the Swabi route. They were yet to arrive at the rally venue.
The convoy includes party leaders and workers from southern districts and Peshawar City, making its way to Lahore via the Swabi route, Express News reported.
A container was also prepared for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and transported to the Peshawar Motorway Toll Plaza, with two additional containers for other party leaders.
Party sources confirmed that the convoy departed from Peshawar around 11 am, with CM Gandapur leading the group.
The containers, which also included DJ music for party anthems, were part of the preparations to energise participants.
Along the way, a reception camp was set up at the Swabi Interchange, where convoys from different parts of the province gathered before proceeding to Lahore.
In preparation for the rally, PTI workers armed with sticks were ready to face any obstacles during the journey. Photos of these workers were shared by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister in a WhatsApp group.
Additionally, PTI leaders have voiced concerns over police crackdowns in Lahore.
Provincial Assembly member Fazal Elahi declared that no force could stop them from reaching Lahore, stating, “The bridegroom is coming, be prepared.”
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Adviser Barrister Saif condemned the recent police actions, accusing the government of arresting 20 PTI workers for holding a corner meeting.
He warned that Maryam Nawaz would be held responsible for her “fascist tactics” and urged the government to respect PTI’s right to peaceful assembly, calling for adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure a peaceful environment.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that government resources, including cranes, ambulances, fire brigades, and other machinery, had been directed to support PTI’s activities, sparking criticism over the misuse of public funds for a political event.
ATC issues arrest warrants for Gandapur, others
Earlier during the day, an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad issued non-bailable arrest warrants for KP Chief Minister Gandapur and several other PTI leaders.
The court also declared PTI leader Umar Tanveer Butt an absconder.
Judge Tahir Abbas Supra rejected Ali Amin’s pre-arrest bail request, which was linked to a terrorism case involving the attack and vandalism at the Judicial Complex, filed by I-9 police station.
Ali Amin’s lawyer, Raja Zahoor Hassan, submitted an application requesting an exemption from Ali Amin’s appearance.
The court dismissed the request, noting that an absence request had also been made on September, 4 followed by Ali Amin’s attendance at a rally on September 8.
Following his absence, the court denied Ali Amin’s bail application and issued non-bailable warrants for Ali Amin Gandapur, Wasif Qayyum Abbasi, Raja Rashid Hafeez, and Amir Mehmood Kiani.
Umar Tanveer Butt was declared an absconder due to continuous absences from court proceedings.
The court, however, accepted an exemption application from PTI leader Faisal Javed and adjourned the case until 3rd October.
Petion in LHC seeks release of detained workers
Ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s rally in Lahore today, former provincial assembly member Zainab Umair, through Advocate Azhar Siddique submmited a miscellaneous petition at the Lahore High Court, seeking the release of all detained party workers.
The petition argues that detention orders for PTI workers and leaders had been issued across Punjab in violation of the law and the Constitution.
The petition requested the court to immediately annul the detention orders and issue an order for the release of all detained individuals.
Lahore has been on edge since the eve of the rally, with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters reportedly clashing violently with police at Ring Road, Kahna, following the arrest of several party workers.
The unrest led to roadblocks, tyre burnings, and significant disruptions across parts of the city.
The incident occurred in the wake of a larger crackdown by law enforcement against PTI activists amid ongoing political turmoil in the country.
According to local sources, police detained dozens of PTI workers, transporting them to an undisclosed location in a prison van.
In response, outraged PTI supporters converged on Mini Market in Gulberg, blocking the main road and setting tyres ablaze.
A police spokesperson reported that the violence erupted near the Origa Centre in Gulberg during a routine police checkpoint.
