Islamabad march: PTI, PAT successfully enter Red Zone
By
Dawn.com
Updated 7 minutes ago
PTI chief Imran Khan speaks to his party supporters in Islamabad. – Photo by Reuters
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's Azadi March is headed into Islamabad's Red Zone in protest. Follow live updates below.
10:50pm
DawnNews footage shows an injured policeman inside the Red Zone, who appears to be bleeding from the nose. His comrade takes a cloth to clean up the wound. It is not clear how this policeman sustained this injury.
Watch a short clip here:
10:45pm
Police personnel deployed inside the Red Zone look on as PAT and PTI workers march towards Parliament House. So far, the entry to the sensitive area has been largely peaceful.
10:36pm
Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said that both the PTI and PAT want to achieve their objectives,"over dead bodies".
"We are still trying to resolve the situation through dialogue," he said.
"Our policy from the start has been not to use any force," said the information minister.
10:26pm
"What we are seeing today is a repeat telecast of what was tried [by Qadri] in the past," Ancherperson Asma Sherazi claims, hinting at an ulterior motive for the ongoing protests.
More reports are emerging of skirmishes between security forces and protesters.
10:18pm
DawnNews is reporting that police has baton-charged PAT protesters near Nadra Chowk.
Police deputed in Islamabad's Red Zone area were authorised to use force against protesters staging their Azadi March in the federal capital, according to the copy of a document available with Dawn.
10:15pm
Most women in the protest appear to belong to the PAT. Police and journalists have estimated that Dr Qadri has amassed a larger crowd as compared with Imran Khan.
10:10pm
Speaking to DawnNews, Majlis Wahdatul Muslameen (MWM) general secretary — a party that has allied itself with Dr Tahirul Qadri — Ameen Shahidi said that the only solution to the prevailing political crisis was resignation from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
A screengrab shows a mother carrying her baby into the Red Zone
10:05pm
Television footage of the rallies in Islamabad so far show supporters of both PTI and PAT camps entering the Red Zone with ease. Police forces deployed for security have offered no resistance.
10:00pm
Participants of the PTI and PAT rallies have entered the Red Zone and appear to be walking towards Parliament. Imran Khan earlier appealed to workers to stay peaceful and not enter any buildings. However, he directed his supporters to "take revenge" if something happens to him.
9:55pm
Female party workers shower policemen with rose petals and flash the victory sign, while some male workers hold up sticks and glass bottles to prepare for an impending clash with security forces.
9:50pm
PAT workers are forming horizontal lines as they inch towards the barricaded Red Zone. About a dozen or so workers hold sticks are walking in sync towards the police.
9:45pm
The 'Azadi' and Inquilab march participants have reached the precincts of the Red Zone. Imran Khan is flanked by senior PTI leaders Javed Hashmi, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Pervez Khattak.
9:42pm
Some perspective from
Dawn's editorial
Perhaps what Mr Khan is seeking is to be temporarily detained in front of cameras by the capital’s law-enforcement agencies and for the PTI activists to engage in some televised skirmishes as a way of ending the PTI rally on Mr Khan’s version of a high note.
Deplorable as Mr Khan’s tactics are, there is an immediate challenge for the law-enforcement apparatus of Islamabad to calmly and firmly but without the excessive use of force prevent the marchers from laying siege to state institutions.
9:38pm
DawnNews footage shows policemen laughing as they await the march advance. Drone footage shows hundreds of security forces standing ready.
9:30pm
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said he will not resign under any circumstance, sources say.
Workers wearing hard hats are taking pliers and clipping the heavy chains that have bound containers. It is clearly visible that Imran Khan is not at the front of the crowd.
Drones continue to cover the march as it advances.
9:28pm
Policemen in riot gear -- helmets, shields, batons, knee pads, bulletproof vests -- are seen patrolling the entrance of the Red Zone. A violent clash seems moments away.
"Oye Nawaz Sharif! I am coming! Resign now or you will pay a heavy price," a jubilant Imran cries out.
9:26pm
The PTI and PAT rallies have merged to advance as one.
9:22pm
"I'm coming! I'm coming to hold you accountable!" Imran says, as his mobile-container progresses forward.
Banega Naya Pakistan by Attaullah Khan Essakhelvi is played at the PTI venue, Imran and supporters sway to the music
On the other side of the containers, a massive contingent of security forces await the marchers.
9:18pm
In his black shalwar kameez and PTI sash, Imran Khan is on stage, pumping his fist and clearly in high spirits.
Imran addresses the crowd again:
"We are coming...take a right!"
"Guys we won't respond in the same language. Our brought up is different and our leaders legacy is of culture & civility. Patience pls" Maryam Nawaz says on Twitter.
9:15pm
"Every martial law has been imposed on a Tuesday – I hope today is not that Tuesday" Anchorperson Meher Bokhari says on DawnNews.
Charged supporters are moving forward - many are brandishing sticks. Some youth wielding sticks are seen surrounding one container. A few attempt to make an effort to push it.
9:10pm
The PTI crane is successfully lifting a container out of the way.
9:07pm
A large number of workers have climbed onto the PTI crane as it moves through the crowd, with one standing atop waving a party flag. The march is now inching forward.
Imran Khan's mobile stage has begun moving as well.
9:04pm
PTI supporters are pushing over containers, with the help of a crane. Visuals show security personnel asking the crowd to stop.
9:00pm
TV channels are reporting that some participants are moving towards the Red Zone (Aabpara) in a bid to push containers out of the way.
Participants wave national and party flags, with some cheering and dancing to express their jubilation that this five-day protest will proceed to Parliament.
8:57pm
It has been nearly one hour since Imran Khan announced he would head towards the Red Zone but there has been no movement yet.
8:52pm
The PTI march into the Red Zone has yet to kick off. Thousands stand ready waiting for a signal from Imran Khan, who remains on-stage.
Separately, large contingents of security personnel are moving into position behind the containers through which the PTI will have to march. The likelihood of a clash is high.
TV channels are reporting that security forces guarding the Red Zone have batons and shields, but no arms.
8:45pm
MQM Chief Altaf Hussain speaks on TV, expresses his dismay at how the political crisis has panned out.
"I appeal to these parties to give this government one chance to negotiate before they enter the Red Zone" Hussain says.
"I appeal to Shahbaz and Nawaz Sharif to have a heart, approach Imran Khan and Qadri."
Read his full speech on the MQM website.
8:36pm
With PTI supporters set to march forward, the
111 Brigade is in position for any security breach.
Dawn has learnt that police deputed in the Red zone area have been
authorised to use force, including rubber bullets, tear gas and lathi (baton) charge.
The situation is especially dangerous as
women and children are expected to march in the second row.
8:29pm
Imran moves towards the Red Zone with a prayer. Other leaders say a dua with him.
The PTI crane has begun to move forward, assumedly to remove the containers in the way.
8:27pm
Imran continues to stir up the crowd, directing them to move through Aabpara.
"Those youth in the back, come up front - come back! Don't go to the Diplomatic Enclave!" Imran pleads.
8:23pm
The crowd is highly charged, ready to march into the Red Zone.
PML-N leader Khurram Dastgir Khan, speaking on DawnNews, says "Even if there were a hundred times more people, they cannot dictate democracy with sticks."
8:15pm
Chaudhry Nisar, history will decide whether you stood with the downtrodden or the corrupt, Imran Khan says.
8:12pm
Imran Khan tells his supporters they will enter the Red Zone in 10 minutes.
"Don't enter any buildings" the PTI Chairman reiterates.
8:11pm
Hours after the deadline given to the government by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) expired, PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday evening urged his followers and supporters to march into the federal capital’s Red Zone.
Speaking to his supporters near the most sensitive area of the country, Imran called on his supporters to follow him up to Parliament and surround the building. He asked his supporters to remain peaceful and not enter the building itself.
Reiterating that he would lead the march forward himself, the PTI Chairman thanked God for "fulfilling his desire of waking up the nation."
“We are not Pashtuns, Sindhis, Balochs or Punjabis, but only Pakistanis today.”
He asked his protesters whether they were ready to march into the Red Zone, receiving an emphatic "Yes!" in response. Imran urged party workers to remain peaceful and avoid confrontation with security forces.
He also warned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif against using force against the ‘peaceful’ protesters.
“I will never forgive you Nawaz and I will follow you to London if you attempt to escape.”
Taking pot shots at the prime minister, Imran dared Nawaz to "try collecting 500 people without the help of patwaris".
Addressing police and security officials guarding the Red Zone, he urged them not to use force against his supporters.
