ISLAMABAD: In view of the increased road blockades, there were rumours that an operation might be launched against the participants of the sit-ins on Thursday afternoon.

On the other hand, speeches were made from the stages of both the PTI and PAT denouncing any such operation.

A senior official of the Islamabad police posted in the Red Zone, however, said the rumours were baseless.

Policemen posted in the Red Zone, however, say the rumours are baseless

“Police actions are not taken in such a manner. Whatever has to be done is usually conducted in wee hours. Besides, rain is expected in the coming days which would be the ideal situation for any such crackdown,” the official added.

After a clear message from the National assembly to protect democracy, removal of the IGP Islamabad and the closure of the roads, the rumours started doing the round.

It forced the PTI to bring its chairman Imran Khan to the stage to gather the scattered participants of the sit-in.

“The PTI leaders were worried about the expected crackdown against the participants in the afternoon when Imran Khan was alone in the container as all the other leaders were at the house of MNA Asad Umer to discuss a reply to the government team which was expected to meet them,” a senior PTI leader requesting not to be named told Dawn.

Soon after hearing the announcement about the speech of Imran Khan, the scattered supporters and workers started gathering in front of the container-cum-stage.

Mr Khan appeared on the stage and lashed out at the government and warned the police not to become a tool of the government.

Calling his supporters and party workers ‘my tigers’, he threatened to launch a march to the Prime Minister House.

“First shot at me and then target any PTI worker.” He also warned acting IGP Khalid Khattak: “I will not spare you if you launched any crackdown against my workers.”

For more than half an hour, the PTI chairman alone managed to gather the crowd with his speech in an aggressive tone. And after the arrival of his team, he also threatened Interior Secretary Shahid Khan.

Meanwhile, the Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ), formerly Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, has planned to hold a protest demonstration against PAT chief Tahirul Qadri at Lal Masjid on Friday.

The ASWJ has traditionally been considered close to the establishment and opposed to the PAT on sectarian grounds.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2014