PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday reiterated that he and his supporters would not vacate D-Chowk in Islamabad until a final date for new elections was given from the "imported government".
Imran made those remarks during a brief stopover in Hasan Abdal — which is approximately 50kms away from the capital — as his supporters reached D-Chowk ahead of him despite obstacles on their way.
He said the police would also come to understand his mission — which he called "jihad" — when his caravan would reach its final destination.
Earlier, As PTI's Azadi March began, tensions in Punjab rose after police made use of tear gas and arrested several PTI marchers in cities across the province as activists attempted to remove shipping containers blocking routes to Islamabad.
Much later in the evening, in a video message tweeted by the PTI, party chairman Imran Khan asked "all Pakistanis" to take to the streets in their respective cities and said people heading to Islamabad must reach D-Chowk.
"I will make it there in a couple of hours." He also appealed to women and children to come out of their homes for "real independence". Imran said it was "good news" that the Supreme Court had decided that no one would be arrested during the march.
"Your collective presence will send a message across Pakistan that the nation has rejected this imported government."
Earlier, around 6pm, the main convoy from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which includes Imran, was able to enter Punjab from Attock after successfully removing barricades placed by the Punjab government at the Attock bridge to stop marchers from entering the province.
Some prominent PTI leaders, including Fawad Chaudhry and Shireen Mazari, also urged supporters to make their way to the capital's D-Chowk, saying that all containers and blockades on the way had been removed.
There were reports of intense shelling in Islamabad's Blue Area, with television footage showing smoke rising from the ground and fires in the green belts adjacent to main roads. The government claimed that the PTI supporters had set the fires whereas the claim from the PTI camp was that the fires were a result of police shelling. Neither claim could be independently verified.
These developments came a day after the PTI chairman exhorted his supporters to embark on their march for "true freedom" towards Islamabad as the government said it would not allow the march. In response, Imran had called on the youth to remove the obstacles themselves.
Imran had earlier today arrived at the Wali Interchange in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by helicopter. Footage of Imran arriving at the interchange showed PTI activists converging on the chopper.
Later, he departed for Islamabad from the Wali Interchange, from where the PTI tweeted a photo of him waving to supporters atop a truck adorned with PTI colours.
Imran also urged protesters to carry the Pakistani flag, calling today's march a "defining moment" for Pakistan.
Meanwhile, internet disruptions were reported across Pakistan in the evening.
'No blockade can stop us'
After reaching Swabi, Imran, holding a Pakistan flag, delivered a speech to supporters saying that "we are going to D-Chowk and no one can stop us" as the crowd cheered.
Calling the incumbent government a "group of thieves", he termed them the most corrupt people in the country and said that they were afraid of the masses which is why they had placed containers.
He said protesters were being detained and harassed as they participated in the Azadi March. Addressing politicians of the ruling coalition, Imran said that the PTI government did not bar any of them from staging protests as it "did not fear the people".
He asserted that the government was afraid as they had been plundering national wealth for the past 30 years. "I want to give these people a message from Swabi Interchange: whatever you do, we will cross all obstacles and reach D-Chowk. Our protest will be peaceful as it has always been."
Imran maintained that staging a protest was the party's right, adding that he would unite the country and make it a nation. "This nation does not accept this imported government," he declared, calling on the people to come out for what he has described of late as a "jihad" for "true freedom".
"All Pakistanis, women, children, families, youth, lawyers, retired army officers, everyone has to come out for real independence," he said.
Meanwhile, other party leaders departed from their respective locations, with Hammad Azhar, Yasmin Rashid and some others from Lahore, while Shahid Khattak departed from Karak. PTI's Fayyazul Hasan Chohan could be seen on television footage departing for Islamabad on a motorcycle.
'Absolutely no' deal, say Imran and govt
Meanwhile, government spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb and Imran rubbished news reports of a deal among the two parties.
Aurangzeb said no agreement was reached between the federal government and the PTI. "News of negotiations and agreement between the government and PTI is baseless". She added that no agreement could be reached with an "armed group that martyred a police personnel".
About half an hour later, Imran too rubbished the reports as "rumours and deliberate disinformation". "Absolutely not!" He said the party was moving towards Islamabad and would remain in the capital until "dates for dissolution of assemblies and elections are given". He also urged supporters from Islamabad and Rawalpindi to embark on the march.
At a press conference, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif "must have formed a negotiation team" by now in light of the Supreme Court order on a petition filed by the PTI earlier in the day. He said the PTI had already formed its team led by Dr Babar Awan. The minister said the situation in Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh was relatively peaceful, adding it was just KP where protesters were using state machinery and heading towards Islamabad.
He said the government would abide by the court's order for upholding peace and the law and order situation in the country.
Sanaullah said police had carried out a total of 4,417 swoops on PTI supporters' homes, offices and on protest rallies and had arrested nearly 1,700 people. Of those, 250 were freed after they submitted affidavits that they had nothing to do with the protest march, he said.
The interior minister said the PTI's march had failed as it could not gather the support the party's leadership was claiming. According to him, only a few hundred people had come out in support of PTI at various places in Punjab, adding that he was "embarrassed" at the measures he had asked forces to take because "we had been deceived by their tall claims".
The minister apologised to the people for causing disruption in their daily lives.
Meanwhile, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz claimed that the PTI had approached the government twice for talks. She said PTI leaders Pervez Khattak and Fawad Chaudhry had approached the government yesterday and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar and Khattak today at 10am.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, she claimed the PTI had asked for an election date to "save face and get a safe exit since the people hadn't responded to the march's call as per the PTI's expectations".
Maryam claimed that the turnout for the PTI's march was low and had unnecessarily consumed the government's energy and attention which was expecting a bigger response.
She also alleged that Imran was trying to create division and discord in the army.
Maryam's claim of PTI approaching the government for talks was swiftly rejected by Fawad Chaudhry, who said she was a "liar", adding that "there will be no negotiations now, just a showdown".
Shelling at KP-Punjab border after cranes brought to move containers
Meanwhile, police fired tear gas at protesters near the Chacch Interchange in Hazro town of Attock district. According to Dawn's correspondent who was present at the scene, the protesters had brought a crane and were attempting to remove the containers that were blocking the way.
Police fired tear gas shells on the protesters in an attempt to disperse them. Footage from the scene showed protesters covering their faces and running from the scene as smoke billowed in the background.
"We are peaceful and were trying to remove the hurdles when Punjab police resorted to tear gas shelling," PTI worker Shabir Ahmed said, adding that the protesters would not return or move at any cost.
Separately, the PTI had earlier tweeted that the party's south KP convoy, led by Ali Amin Gandapur, was "well on its way" towards Islamabad after the blockades faced at the Punjab-KP border were "crossed successfully".
As the events unfold and PTI activists defy Section 144 — a measure which is frequently used to prevent gatherings — Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah was set to address a news conference. A day earlier Section 144 was invoked in Islamabad, Punjab and Sindh.
Jamshed Cheema held in Lahore; police try to nab Hammad Azhar
DawnNewsTV reported that police attempted to arrest Hammad Azhar in Lahore. Footage showed scuffles between supporters and police as they tried to arrest Azhar, who could be seen wearing a red cap in footage broadcast on TV.
After 1:50pm, the police resumed shelling and fired tear gas near the Aiwan-e-Adal. Four lawyers have also been arrested, while 10 to 12 cars were reportedly damaged.
Dawn.com was able to confirm that another PTI leader, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema. was arrested in Lahore and was moved to an undisclosed location. In a brief video message, he said they were living in a country of 220 million people and all of them would exercise their "democratic rights".
Meanwhile, DawnNewsTV reported that Dr Rashid and Andaleeb Abbas were arrested from Ravi Road and subsequently released.
Earlier, footage emerged of police personnel charging at marchers at Lahore's Bati chowk. Ten people were arrested after the clashes.
Dawn.com has seen footage of clashes and scuffles between the protesters and the policemen as activists converged in the area to begin their march on Islamabad. The videos showed policemen stopping PTI supporters from moving forward and making use of tear gas.
According to PTI's official Twitter account, the marchers were also stopped at the Shahdara area.
In a later tweet, the party said the shipping container placed in Shahadara had been removed.
At the Niazi Chowk too, PTI workers removed impediments and marched forward.
Meanwhile, another PTI caravan led by Hammad Azhar managed to get across the obstacles and crossed Lahore. He is now on GT Road on his way to Islamabad.
Later in the evening, Azhar shared a video of himself on Twitter with a cut on his eyebrow. He said that instead of firing tear gas shells into the air, officials were throwing them at their faces.
Earlier in the day, when he was in Lahore, Azhar said the impediments and containers on Bati Chowk, Ravi Bridge and Shahdra had been removed and the roads had been cleared by "the public".
Later, Azhar said Kala Shah Kaku, some 11km north of Ravi Bridge, was under "heavy shelling".
Azhar's rally had reached Muridke while the caravan led by Shafqat Mahmood had been stuck to cross the Bati chowk.
In Lahore, the police also baton-charged protesters near the Aiwan-e-Adal. The marchers were, however, later dispersed. Clashes between the police and protesters were also reported in other areas of Lahore such as Islampura, Karim Park, Mohni road and Badami Bagh.
Separately, Dawn.com has seen footage showing police stopping leader Yasmin Rashid's vehicle in Lahore. An exchange of words could also be seen after police reportedly attempted to yank out the key of the vehicle she was travelling in.
Video aired by broadcasters showed police landing blows on a vehicle — purportedly Rashid's — as it tried to pass through a cordon. A non-uniformed individual with his face covered could also be seen in the footage, hitting the vehicle forcefully.
Rashid in a statement, said the windshield of her vehicle was broken by the police. She said that she faced difficulty in leaving the area, but was now on the way to Islamabad. "This government has lost its senses. I am an 80-year-old woman. Why are they threatened of me? How is stopping a peaceful protest democratic?"
Rashid, who is a cancer survivor, added that despite everything, the enthusiasm of the workers was at its peak.
Later, the PTI tweeted a video of the vehicle with its windshilef broken as Rashid was in the driver's seat.
In Lahore, the marchers had reached the Ravi Road interchange, some 362 kilometres from Islamabad.
DawnNewsTV has reported roadblocks in Faisalabad, Gujranwala and other cities in Punjab, with shelling on PTI supporters trying to cross these.
LHC orders release of detained people
Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered police to release all detained people after obtaining an undertaking from them assuring they would not indulge in any illegal activity or violate the law.
LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti issued the order while hearing a petition of PTI Senator Eiaz Chaudhry and six others against the detention of party leaders. Capital City Police Officer Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana told the court that the senator had not been taken into custody. Chaudhry's counsel said his client was released after the court took notice of his arrest.
The chief justice remarked that the release of detained people was more important than the politics. He said the police had been deployed for the protection of the public, adding the law enforcers had expressed apprehensions that mob could vandalise public property as seen in protests in the past.
He also said the principles of politics were not being followed.
Gujranwala
Meanwhile, a faceoff was reported between PTI supporters and the police in Gujranwala when the latter tried to stop them with barricades near Khanki Headworks. However, the marchers forced their way through the obstructions and move ahead.
The caravan, led by Chaudhry Ahmed Chatha, is now on the way to Islamabad.
According to PTI's Gujranwala General Secretary, Tariq Gujjar, 150 people from the caravan have been taken into custody.
Ali Asjad Malhi arrested in Daska
On the other hand, from Daska, PTI district president Ali Asjad Malhi left with supporters in a caravan.
Earlier, the police raided the house of Malhi, where the party leaders had gathered, and tried to arrest him under Section 144. Later, DawnNewsTV reported Malhi had been arrested.
Activists break through wall in Faisalabad
PTI supporters and the police also clashed at the Kamalpur Interchange in Faisalabad. The marchers, however, advanced after breaking through the wall of the Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA).
The police office also tried to stop the party workers near the motorway after which a scuffle broke out between both groups.
Other cities
Aside from Gujranwala, Sadhoke, Chenab Bridge, Khanki Headway and the city area have been completely blocked.
At 1:32pm, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that after shelling marchers, a shot had been fired on them in Mangla — a village situated on the border of Kashmir and Jhelum — some 120kms from Islamabad.
In another video, Fawad, who is allegedly stuck on the Mangla bridge, said that three PTI workers suffered severe injuries due to shelling by the police. "Several cars have suffered damage too. The Punjab police entered the jurisdiction of Kashmir and shelled us," he said.
"But more people are coming. And I want to appeal to the people of Jhelum and Kashmir to join us at the Mangla bridge. We will head to Islamabad from here," Chaudhry added.
Earlier, the former information minister had said that the Mangla bridge was blocked by the police.
Islamabad
Police have blocked the Niazi Chowk in Bani Gala, a few kilometres away from Imran Khan's residence, DawnNewsTV reported. The Islamabad police have established a checkpost there, while approximately 2,000 Punjab police officers have been posted.
Karachi
Meanwhile, PTI supporters in Karachi have started gathering near the Numaish Chowrangi to "register their demand for immediate, free & fair elections".
"Karachi is about to make its own Azadi Square as Kaptaan's caravan and other rallies head towards Islamabad," PTI tweeted.
In the evening, police fired tear gas and baton-charged PTI protesters at the Chowrangi after hundreds of them gathered at the spot. Scores of protesters were dispersed following police action and were forced to seek shelter in nearby lanes. However, the protest hasn't yet been called off.
Earlier, Karachi traffic police said that the MA Jinnah Road from Capri Cinema towards Numaish Chowrangi had been blocked over "security reasons". Corridor 3 has also been closed for traffic from the PPP Chowrangi.
Imran inbound
Earlier, PTI's central secretary information Farrukh Habib had tweeted that former prime minister Imran Khan was reaching the Wali motorway interchange at Mardan. "He will lead PTI's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa convoy leading million to Islamabad," he said.
Ahead of Imran's departure, he called on all of Pakistan to join his freedom march. He also released a video statement in which he said that he is starting his march from Peshawar and reaching Wali Interchange. He urged his supporters to reach Islamabad.
"I will lead the Azadi March caravan from there and God willing we will head to Islamabad from there. I want each and everyone to leave because this is a defining moment," he added.
DAWN
<br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%AD%D9%82%DB%8C%D9%82%DB%8C_%D8%A2%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C_%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%86?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ</a> <a href="https://t.co/TjvUaeDAL4">pic.twitter.com/TjvUaeDAL4</a></p>— Shaziyaa (@ShaziyaaMehmood) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaziyaaMehmood/status/1529604212962869251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<br>We Rescue Two Injured Police Man At D-Chowk ��<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%AD%D9%82%DB%8C%D9%82%DB%8C_%D8%A2%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C_%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%86?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ</a> <a href="https://t.co/CpV7NUzkwz">pic.twitter.com/CpV7NUzkwz</a></p>— Peer Ayan Usmani (IK Lover) (@Emm_Ayan_Usmani) <a href="https://twitter.com/Emm_Ayan_Usmani/status/1529604155710574593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
