Live updates on PTI's protest in Islamabad

After PTI abruptly put off its 'do-or-die' protest in Islamabad, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has asserted that life has returned to normal across Pakistan with roads cleared and mobile and internet services restored.

"A positive trend is being witnessed in the Pakistan Stock Exchange," the security czar said in a statement.

He also tender apology to the citizens for facing "inconvenience during the past three days," noting that the measures were necessary to protect them from protesters.

Metrobus service has been restored in Islamabad and Rawalpindi after five days of suspension.

The transportation service was suspended in the twin cities due to PTI protests and repair work on the track of the buses is also underway.

One policeman was martyred while more than 170 police personnel were injured due to attacks by the miscreants in various districts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, said the police spokesperson. 

The spokesperson said that violence and firing by miscreants caused injuries to several cops and officials while they also damaged 22 Punjab Police vehicles and burned a police van. 

Meanwhile, Punjab's IG Usman Anwar said that the miscreants were armed with firearms, sniper rifles, petrol bombs and dangerous weapons.

"Punjab Police will bring miscreants who take law into their own hands to justice," vowed the IG, adding that all resources are being used to ensure the identification and arrest of those involved. 

Following fierce clashes between PTI protesters and law enforces in the capital, the federal government has set a deadline of December 31 for Afghan nationals to leave Islamabad.

During his interaction with journalists in the capital, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi clarified: “Afghan nationals will not be allowed to stay in Islamabad without permission after the end of the next month.”

Afghan citizen, who intends to stay in the federal capital post December this year, will have to obtain a no objection certificate (NOC) from the deputy commissioner office.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Omar Ayub addressed party workers and strongly condemned the "straight firing" on PTI supporters during the Islamabad protest.

He criticised the injustices faced by the party, saying: "We are subjected to violence, and yet, the cases are also filed against us."

Ayub praised the dedication of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, highlighting his efforts in ensuring food, medical aid, and transportation for PTI workers during the protests.

"Ali Amin consistently worked to support our workers," he remarked.

He further expressed pride in the party's leadership decisions, stating: "I take pride in the founder of PTI’s decision to appoint Ali Amin as chief minister."

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has alleged that PTI has been subjected to systematic oppression.

“Our party has faced coercion, and baseless cases have been registered against us,” he claimed during a press conference, adding that their leader Imran Khan is in jail, while his wife has also been incarcerated.

KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur has said that the PTI's protest was still on and that only PTI founder Imran Khan had the authority to call it off.

Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nasir Ali Rizvi said that Afghan nationals and those involved in terrorism will not be allowed to reside in the federal capital without an no objection certificate (NOC). 

While  Evidence, including videos, has been gathered showing protesters disembarking from vehicles and retrieving weapons. The IGP reiterated that terrorism under the guise of protests would not be permitted.

Distinguishing between peaceful protests and acts of terrorism, the top cop warned that no terrorist activities disguised as protests would be tolerated, although the right to peaceful demonstration is guaranteed.

The IGP condemned the recent violence during the PTI protest, saying: "What kind of a protest involves direct firing on law enforcement agencies?”

He revealed that 610 protesters were arrested, over 200 vehicles were seized, and many protesters, who appeared to be armed, were detained.

Rizvi further stated that the authorities are also investigating the homes, where the seized vehicles were parked.

He flagged the presence of foreign nationals among the protesters as concerning, with 19 Afghan citizens arrested during the clashes.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is addressing a press conference in Mansehra.

The crucial address to the media comes after their three-day protest, termed "do-or-die" or the "final call," ended abruptly last night, with the government slamming the PTI for damages to the economy and nation.

Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Danyal Chaudhary has said the government amicably handled the situation in Islamabad, state media reported.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, he said there was no use of force or weapons against the protestors.

He said there were no deaths of protestors because of government action, regretting the propaganda of PTI in this regard.

The government official said the authorities exercised restraint and patience to foil the designs of those who wanted to do politics on corpses.

He said 900 protestors were arrested from different areas which included most wanted criminals and 37 Afghan nationals who were brought to incite anarchy.

PTI's agenda was to derail the country's forward march on the economic front and sabotage foreign investments, he added.