Uncertainty, teargas engulfs Rawalpindi as Nov 2 nears

Published October 28, 2016
Policemen turns back after firing teargas shells during the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf protest. —AFP
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Police officer recovers from the blowback of tear gas during clashes. ─Reuters
A protester throws stones at police during clashes in Rawalpindi. ─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
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
PTI activists shout slogans during a protest in Lahore. —AFP
Protesters of PTI throw stones towards police during a protest in Rawalpindi. —AFP
Protesters of PTI throw stones towards police during a protest in Rawalpindi. —AFP
A protester throws stones at police during clashes in Rawalpindi. ─Reuters
A protester throws stones at police during clashes in Rawalpindi. ─Reuters
PTI activists shout slogans during a protest in Lahore. —AFP
PTI activists shout slogans during a protest in Lahore. —AFP

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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