Uncertainty, teargas engulfs Rawalpindi as Nov 2 nears

Agencies Published October 28, 2016

Policemen turns back after firing teargas shells during the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf protest. —AFP

Leader of Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad gestures after his arrival at Committee Chowk after avoiding his arrest by police. ─Online

Activist of a political party seen throwing stone towards policemen during a public gathering of Awami Muslim League at Committee Chowk. ─Online

Trucks seen parked to block road near Lal Haveli to avoid public gathering of Awami Muslim League at Committee Chowk. ─Online

Motorcyclists cross under a container set up as a roadblock by the authorities in Rawalpindi. —AFP

Police arrest an activist of Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf during a protest in Rawalpindi. —AFP

Protesters of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf throw stones towards police during a protest. —AFP

Police officer recovers from the blowback of tear gas during clashes. ─Reuters

A protester throws stones at police during clashes in Rawalpindi. ─Reuters

Police arrest an activist of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf during a protest in Rawalpindi. — AFP

PTI activists shout slogans during a protest in Lahore. —AFP

Protesters of PTI throw stones towards police during a protest in Rawalpindi. —AFP

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The political atmosphere in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi turned tense with the PTI calling for countrywide protests on Friday after police stormed a youth convention of the party and arrested activists in the federal capital late on Thursday.

The AML convention on Friday was scheduled as a warm up exercise ahead of the November 2 showdown by the PTI. Awami Muslim League(AML), Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) of Tahirul Qadri, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) have announced to join the November 2 'lockdown'.

Since last night, all the five ways leading to Shaikh Rashid's residence remained sealed. Police and opposition activists came face to face at Rawalpindi's Committee Chowk near the Lal Haveli residence of Sheikh Rasheed.

A scuffle also broke out between PTI workers and police near Imran Khan's residence. Although Imran Khan had earlier decided to address supporters at an AML-organised meeting at Lal Haveli, he later cancelled that plan.

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Pakistan

Is this a kingdom or democracy? asks Imran Khan

Either police or PTI will ‘lockdown’ capital

Police arrest scores of PTI workers at youth convention, Imran calls for countrywide protests

Ahmad Junaid Raza

Oct 28, 2016 08:41pm

Shaikh Rasheed is the man of the mach

Recommend 0

Musleh Uddin Ahmad

Oct 28, 2016 08:45pm

Simply IDIOTIC on the part of civil administration.

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Tahir A

Oct 28, 2016 08:52pm

Both parties should come down and settle the issue on a round table. Broadly speaking, the Govt which hasn't been able to defend itself of the mass scale corruption accusation seems sheepish and must step down.

Recommend 0

Khan USA

Oct 28, 2016 08:56pm

Nov 2 nd dharna should happen at any cost .

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Dr Riffat Jabeen

Oct 28, 2016 08:56pm

Govt lost its temper...

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Khan USA

Oct 28, 2016 08:56pm

All assemblies should be resolved and new elections should be announced .

Recommend 0

Dr Riffat Jabeen

Oct 28, 2016 09:00pm

A simple sit in is turning to be a movement. Government is expediting the process due to the wise advisors.

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Prateik

Oct 28, 2016 09:25pm

Corruption is equivalent to cancer.

Recommend 0

Starr

Oct 28, 2016 09:34pm

@Khan USA It costs, can you bear the expenditures for early election?

Recommend 0

ali

Oct 28, 2016 09:40pm

If there is section 144 for in Islamabad, then why Difaae pakistn is allowed to rally against the sitting gove. Can anyone explain please

Recommend 0

Skeptic

Oct 28, 2016 09:51pm

The end of PML-N is close at hand. Remain steadfast and determined to see the struggle through the end.

Recommend 0

Sara

Oct 28, 2016 09:53pm

@Tahir A You are absolutely right. Somebody should bring both parties to the negotiating table. I think PPP's Khursheed Shah can play this role or media can do some program which can emphasize on reconciliation and peaceful resolution of this crisis.

Recommend 0

Mahmood

Oct 28, 2016 09:55pm

If blocking roads with big rigs and containers is supposed to protect so-called 'Democracy' in Pakistan, than I rather have a military dictatorship any day. At least there will be done semblance of normality on the streets. Shameful paranoia if NS government over a mere gathering and rallies.

Recommend 0

THINK SHUTTLE

Oct 28, 2016 09:57pm

End of Nawaz and PMLN.

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M. Malik

Oct 28, 2016 09:59pm

NS government probably never heard an old saying: You catch my flies with Honey, than vinegar! All the wrong moves, if you want to endear the public and want to run for re-election in 2018. Do you expect those you're beating up and arresting to vote for you?

Recommend 0

Rashid Sultan

Oct 28, 2016 10:13pm

Police brutality!

Recommend 0

Ravi

Oct 28, 2016 10:14pm

Pakistani friends need not panic. In democracy such protests and dharnas are essential to voice the popular opinion to the Government. Democracy is the reason such voices are free to be raised and these protests will only strengthen the democratic roots in your country because it will increase transparency in Government and make the people feel empowered. If there are no protests in a Democracy, it is not a democracy!!

Recommend 0

naveed

Oct 28, 2016 10:18pm

Pmln has been corrupt

Recommend 0

imdadali aka babu

Oct 28, 2016 10:26pm

safe protest is right of each and every citizen but violent action by police against protesters by putting trucks is non constitutional. they should not do that. it mean direction for taking action against protesters by rana sana seems, punjab govt always run that person whenever pti calls for protest.

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Really

Oct 28, 2016 10:49pm

Government should have let Shiekh Rashid address the people. What could he have done against them? NOTHING!! Instead they resorted to use force and the teargas has claimed a life of 3 day old child in the nearby residential area. Has the Nawaz family forgotten about the tears and wails of Model Town victims' families?

Recommend 0

Syed

Oct 28, 2016 11:26pm

Only Poor police man become victim, all ruling elite stay home and enjoy on TV!!!

Recommend 0

Realist

Oct 29, 2016 12:11am

@Starr can you bear the burnt of 12billion rupees loss to corruption each day?

Recommend 0

Vivek

Oct 29, 2016 01:50am

Haha..Both countries India and Pakistan are same. Only difference is the border separating us. Protests in India too resemble the same (-stone throwing).

Recommend 0

Khattak RK

Oct 29, 2016 02:42am

How long can Nawaz and his cronies hide their corrupt practices? Except for Imran Khan the opposition is quiet about Sharif brothers' corruption. They must be accountable for the disruption in the country and be put on trial for disobeying the high court orders. They have brazenly ignored the rights of other provinces. Such an attitude creates division within the people of Pakistan. A real prime minister should voluntarily account for his assets rather than hiding under the chadors of his corrupt family members. WAKE UP SHARIF. YOU ARE BEHAVING LIKE A TYRANT not a leader of a country.

Recommend 0

JUSTICE

Oct 29, 2016 03:08am

One of the best act , Sheikh Rasheed is 007 of Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Puthomadre, karachi

Oct 29, 2016 04:57am

Anarchist must be dealt with at any cost. These pictures doesn't show it as a peaceful protest.

Recommend 0

Haider

Oct 29, 2016 05:28am

Prime minister should take notice and make a committee

Recommend 0

raza

Oct 29, 2016 06:09am

I am not supporter of PTI , but as human being it is very unfair to crush peaceful protesters like this. I s it decomocracy? nawaz instead of justifing for his assessts n crouption want to crush civilians like this

Recommend 0

JzQ

Oct 29, 2016 09:08am

@Starr Can You Bear The Expense of Corruption to the point of Extinction!!

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Maqsood

Oct 29, 2016 11:30am

GO NAWAZ GO********

Recommend 0

Ranjan

Oct 30, 2016 09:25am

In India we have Jantar Mantar and Boat Club for such Dharnas and Protests. These two places are in Delhi and close to the Parliament. The motive of the protesters is achieved and the normal life is not disturbed. Although Pakistan and its people are more intelligent, more mature and has better understanding on all matters, but giving graceful accommodation to difference of opinion can be learnt from our small country.

Recommend 0

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