A supporter of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), throws back a tear gas shell during an anti-government rally in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Sunday (October 5, 2024).
| Photo Credit: Reuters

The law and order situation in the Pakistani capital remained tense for the second consecutive day on Sunday (October 6, 2024) as jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party decided to continue its protest against the government despite the mysterious disappearance of protest leader Ali Amin Gandapur.

Mr. Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, in an overnight meeting, decided that the demonstration would go on until the party founder, Mr. Khan, asked his supporters to end it.

The political committee of PTI also decided that if Gandapur was arrested, senior party leader Azam Swati would lead the protest. If Mr. Swati is arrested, a new leader will be chosen to take command, according to the Dawn newspaper.

Mr. Khan has been incarcerated at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for more than a year. Upon his call for the rally, the PTI is demanding Mr. Khan’s release, independence of the judiciary, and protesting rising inflation.

The political committee also criticised the disappearance of protest leader Gandapur, who is the Chief Minister of the country’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The committee warned that there would be ‘serious repercussions’ if he was arrested.

Former National Assembly speaker and senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser told the Dawn newspaper that PTI’s political committee decided to continue the protest as long as it gets a clear directive from Mr. Khan to end the protest.

“It was also decided that Azam Swati will lead the protest if Gandapur is arrested.” However, he warned, arresting a sitting Chief Minister would be disastrous for the country and there would be serious repercussions.

Earlier, in an embarrassment to the Government, a large number of PTI protesters managed to reach Islamabad by overcoming multiple barriers.

The protesters made it to the capital even after Mr. Gandapur left them near the capital for the Chief Minister’s House and went incommunicado.

“The fate of Gandapur was unknown. The party and family members were unable to make any communication with him from Saturday (October 5, 2024) evening,” said his government spokesman, Muhammad Ali Saif.

Mr. Saif on Saturday (October 5, 2024) first claimed that Gandapur was “arrested”, but later in a post on X said that the “KP CM has not been formally arrested”.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had earlier claimed that no one would be allowed to enter Islamabad, vowing that proper arrangements were in place to deal with protesters.

Meanwhile, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly announced to convene its session on Sunday (October 5, 2024) afternoon to discuss the issue of his disappearance.

Separately, Mr. Naqvi announced that 564 protestors, including 11 plainclothes personnel from the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police, have been arrested during the protests. He said it was the first instance when police have been used in such demonstrations. He also said that among those arrested were 120 Afghan nationals.

He also said that the PTI had a plan to stage a sit-in until the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

Supporters and activists of former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party take part in a protest in Islamabad on October 5, 2024. Pakistan’s capital was locked down on October 5, swarmed by security forces with mobile internet cut as supporters of jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan attempted to seize the streets in protest.
| Photo Credit: AFP

The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Pakistan on Friday (October 4, 2024)) cautioned U.S. citizens in the country against potential protest activity in various locations in Pakistan from October 4-7.

The statement advised U.S. citizens to avoid any large gatherings and monitor local media for updates. “Large crowds and traffic congestion are expected, along with a precautionary security presence, an increased number of checkpoints, and associated disruptions to local mobile and internet networks in the region. Intercity travel and traffic congestion could continue beyond October 7,” the statement read.

The citizens are also advised to exercise caution and leave the area if they find themselves unexpectedly in the vicinity of a large gathering or demonstration and review their personal security plan. “U.S. citizens are encouraged to avoid any large gatherings and monitor local media for updates. Movement of U.S. Mission personnel may be impacted due to changes in security or traffic conditions. U.S. citizens are reminded that protests can be fluid in nature and even peaceful gatherings can turn violent. Internet and mobile phone service outages are common, especially during protests,” the statement mentioned.

As per the statement, the citizens are advised to carry identification, cooperate with authorities and also review the Country Security Report for Pakistan. The alert followed reports of the military troops patrolling in Islamabad’s Red Zone and other areas after the interior ministry notified deployment of troops for security in the city, ARY News reported on Saturday (October 5, 2024). According to ARY News, the military has been called in for maintaining law and order situation with respect to the 23rd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting and visits of VVIP delegations for the said session.