As the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Awami Muslim League (AML) vowed to go ahead with their planned protests against the government, police and opposition activists came face to face at Rawalpindi's Committee Chowk near the Lal Haveli residence of Sheikh Rasheed.
Sheikh Rasheed arrived at Committee Chowk on a motorcycle to join the protesters."If you have it in you, come and arrest me," he said while speaking to reporters.
He claimed that 450 protesters have been arrested by "white clothed" people.
TV footage showed baton-carrying police pushing back PTI activists. Soon after, activists started pelting stones at the police.
Speaking to South Punjab News, Rashid said police are beating up activists of his party. "They did not even spare children. They are not letting ambulances reach Lal Haveli."
Meanwhile, Imran Khan has reportedly cancelled his plan to travel to Lal Haveli, where he was to join an AML-organised meeting and is expected to address a press conference at 4pm.
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 had earlier vowed to go ahead with its plan of holding a political meeting at Shaikh Rashid's Lal Haveli residence, despite a ban on public gatherings. Moreovr, Rashid had claimed in a tweet that his driver and security guard had been arrested.
Separately, PTI's top brass, including Asad Omer and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, was evaluating the situation at Imran Khan's Banigala residence.Despite the plans announced for today's protest, normal traffic could be witnessed on Murree road, the main artery connecting Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and education institutions, offices and businesses were functioning as per usual in the twin cities. However, the turnings on the road that lead to Lal Haveli where the AML gathering is scheduled for the afternoon have been blocked with containers.
Furthermore, authorities have suspended the Metro Bus Service in the twin cities "till further orders". And although skeleton staff was present, entrance gates of all bus stops have been locked for public since Thursday evening.Section 144 was imposed in the twin cities a day earlier, leading to a ban on public gatherings and usage of loudspeakers.
PTI's plan for today
The PTI has devised a strategy for the day after a meeting of the party's top leaders.
Imran Khan directed party workers to reach Banigala by 1pm to take out a rally from his residence to Lal Haveli in Rawalpindi where Sheikh Rasheed of AML has planned a political convention.
Tensions at Banigala
Late in the night, three buses carrying Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel reached the residence of the PTI supremo and troops were deployed in the area. Police deployment also began in the area early Friday.
Meanwhile, PTI activists also took positions in front of Khan's residence. A PTI volunteer earlier claimed that around 2,500 party workers have already reached Banigala.The AML convention was scheduled as a warm up exercise ahead of the Nov 2 showdown by the PTI. AML, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) of Tahirul Qadri, Pakistan Muslim League - Quaid (PML-Q) have announced to join the Nov 2 'lockdown'.
Since last night, all the five ways leading to Shaikh Rashid's residence, where PTI Chairman Imran Khan is due to address a gathering, have been sealed. Shops around the area were also sealed by authorities ahead of the meeting.Rashid, who slept at a friend's residence last night, arrived at Committee Chowk on Friday morning where he vowed to hold a programme after Friday prayers "at all cost". He said the convention would be held at the Committee Chowk as administration had sealed roads to Lal Haveli where the program was scheduled to take place. Earlier, Rashid in a video statement urged his followers to offer Friday prayers in nearby mosques and assemble at Lal Haveli.
Earlier on Thursday, he announced to "tear Section 144 into 144 pieces" as the administration announced the section's imposition.
"On Nov 2, Rawalpindi will be closed down no matter what anyone does," he said.
Panama Papers
PTI and the government have locked horns since the names of members of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's family appeared in the Panama Papers leaks.
After months of verbal duels between the parties, Imran Khan announced plans to lay siege on the capital on Nov 2, and vowed to stay put until Prime Minister Nawaz resigns or presents himself for accountability in the backdrop of the Panama Papers scandal.
Imran claims the revelations in Panama Papers are proof of the PM's corruption and that the latter should give up his position. In contrast, the ruling PML-N has accused Khan of sowing anarchy with his plans and claimed that the party leadership and PM's family were ready for accountability through proper channels.
In a new development, the Supreme Court on Friday constituted a larger bench to hear petitions in connection with the Panama Papers leaks.
Chief Justice (CJ) Anwar Zaheer Jamali will be chairing the bench while Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Amir Hani Muslim, Justice Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Hassan are the other members.
Although Panama Papers leaks has been a running theme with the PTI's demands for accountability, the latest calls to protest come at the heels of a scheduled changeover in the military high command and at a time when ties between the civilian leadership and the army top brass are coming across as complex if not downright fraught.
Questions are being asked as to whether the army would step in in case the protests get out of hand. There is ample speculation about street protests, possible bloodshed and an escalating situation creating space for the army to intervene.
