Police cracks down on PTI, arrests scores of workers in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: At least 120 members of the Insaf Students Federation (ISF) were arrested Thursday evening in a crackdown by law enforcement personnel against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Islamabad ahead of a major anti-government protest on November 2.

Scuffles broke out between law enforcers and PTI leaders present at the venue of the youth convention, from where the ISF workers were arrested.

Video footage showed police and Frontier Constabulary personnel baton-charging and arresting PTI workers at the venue of the convention. A scuffle broke out between the law enforcers and senior PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who argued with the personnel for demanding an explanation for the arrests.

Qureshi said PTI workers, including women workers, had been attacked by the police at the youth convention organised by the party.

"Peaceful protest is our constitutional right. On whose orders did they raise their arms to attack these peaceful workers? Why are our workers being arrested?" asked Qureshi, who was visibly angered. He was soon accompanied by senior PTI leader Asad Umar.

"This act has proved what Supreme Court said…that there is monarchy and not a democracy in Pakistan," said Umar speaking to reporters.

"I appeal to Islamabad administration. We are legislators. IG Islamabad, commissioner Islamabad, tell us on whose orders this action was carried out? Who asked them to raise their hands against women exercising their right of peaceful protest. Did you see weapons in their hands?" said Qureshi.

The two leaders soon announced that they were going to speak to the Inspector-General Islamabad and demand an explanation from him.

'PTI did not seek permission'

Meanwhile, the government claimed the PTI had not sought permission from the Islamabad administration for the youth convention. 

Speaking to Geo News, PML-N leader Danial Aziz claimed that planning was underway at the PTI youth convention to lock down the federal capital.

Aziz said the PTI wanted to go ahead with its planned shutdown of Islamabad despite court orders.

"The matter is not so simple; we were aware of the proceedings inside the building where the convention was being held," he added. "Should we wait for them to come and force people to close down their offices, and then take action."

PTI has given a call for a massive protest in Islamabad on November 2, in a showdown aimed at forcing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down and present himself for accountability in the wake of Panama Papers disclosures.

Imran Khan calls for nationwide protest on Friday 

PTI chairman Imran Khan called for nationwide protest on Friday following the police crackdown. 

Speaking to journalists outside his Bani Gala residence, Khan challenged the government to arrest him. “I will be attending Sheikh Rashid’s rally tomorrow, arrest me if you can,” Khan said.

IHC bars PTI from shutting down Islamabad

But, in a major blow to the opposition party earlier today, the Islamabad High Court ordered the PTI not to shut down the capital during the party's November 2 sit-in.

During a hearing today of petitions seeking to stop the PTI sit-in, the court issued orders that no containers would be allowed in the city and no roads would be blocked. The court directed the district magistrate to allocate a venue for the sit-in and inform PTI about it. The court also ordered the district administration and CDA to arrange facilities for participants at the sit-in next week.

The IHC bench said that that Imran Khan’s statements show that the PTI chief wants to freeze the government machinery. The court added that from the looks of it Imran Khan’s November 2 sit-in is not intended to be a mere protest.

Islamabad sit-in to be held at any cost: Imran

Shortly afterwards, PTI chairman Imran Khan challenged the High Court’s decision barring him from blocking the capital, saying no power could stop him from holding the November 2 sit-in.

“My resolve is increasing every day. Our gathering on November 2 will be decisive and historic,” Khan said in a fiery press conference outside his Bani Gala residence.

He said the government's attempt to stop the rally from taking place would only result in spreading chaos.

Section 144 to be 'smashed' in Rawalpindi

Sheikh Rasheed on Thursday said that not only Islamabad but Rawalpindi will also be shut down for protests.

“Will tear Section 144 into 144 fragments,” announced Sheikh Rasheed hinting at his gathering in Rawalpindi on Oct 28.

The Awami Muslim League leader was addressing a press conference in Islamabad where he said if the protesting leaders were arrested then they would begin a lockdown of the entire country.

Political workers nabbed from outside Lal Haveli

Police have apprehended two political activists from outside Lal Haveli in Rawalpindi. They were reportedly dragged before being thrown into police vehicles present on the spot.