LAHORE: In an effort to reinforce their presence at Islamabad’s D-Chowk, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers from across Punjab took unconventional and risky paths, bypassing security measures to reach the capital. While the PTI leadership and workers have been facing off with security forces in Islamabad, party members from other cities began their journey in isolated vehicles to avoid identification as PTI supporters.
Despite a calm second day following Imran Khan’s call for a nationwide protest, the PTI activists, adhering to party instructions, departed their cities in discreet vehicles. Some went to great lengths, even crossing rivers in makeshift ferries, to join their comrades in Islamabad. PTI Punjab President Hammad Azhar, who has remained in hiding to evade police capture, was seen leading a caravan of party legislators, ticket-holders, and activists.
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” Azhar tweeted, sharing that he and his convoy had crossed two rivers on their journey. He further instructed party members to avoid social media updates until they reached Islamabad, to prevent authorities from tracking their movements. Azhar also urged activists still in their local areas to avoid large gatherings and cross police barricades individually.
As tensions escalated in Islamabad, Azhar claimed that the government had set a trap for itself with its heavy-handed response. He warned that a continued lockdown in Punjab would bring the country to a standstill, but a reversal of the lockdown could unleash even larger protests in the capital.
The Punjab police maintained tight security at entry and exit points in Lahore and other major cities, making it difficult for large groups to mobilize. However, many PTI supporters managed to sneak out individually or in small groups, avoiding police barricades. Some activists even resorted to traveling by train, though several were arrested at the Lahore railway station.
PTI leaders and activists are protesting in Islamabad to demand the release of political prisoners, including Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and Senator Ejaz Chaudhry. They are also calling for the reversal of the 26th constitutional amendment and the restoration of the rule of law.
Despite security hurdles, PTI supporters from both south and north Punjab are determined to join the protests in Islamabad, aiming to make their voices heard in their ongoing battle against the government.
