PTI resumes sit-in outside KP House; Police register case over Red Zone protest

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday resumed its sit-in outside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House after briefly calling it off earlier in the day.

The decision came after a meeting of the PTI K-P Parliamentary Party chaired by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, where members reviewed their strategy and discussed the health report of party founder Imran Khan received on Sunday. Former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur and other party leaders attended the meeting.

Following consultations, around 90 parliamentarians returned to the protest site, chanting slogans and blocking the road once again. Sources said the sit-in would continue until Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai announced its conclusion.

Earlier, the protest had appeared to wind down as Afridi and Gandapur left the venue and adjoining roads were briefly reopened. However, the sit-in by opposition MNAs at Parliament House continued, with Achakzai, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Nasir Abbas, former NA speaker Asad Qaiser and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja present.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan told the media that the party was awaiting the founder’s medical report, which would be made public.

Supporters also staged a protest outside the Lahore High Court at GPO Chowk, demanding Imran’s release. The demonstration included PTI MPA Imtiaz Mahmood Sheikh, Information Secretary Faiza Murad, lawyers and party workers.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry rejected claims that opposition lawmakers were denied food and water during the protest, calling the allegations misleading. He accused some protesters of misusing parliamentary premises and bringing non-parliamentarians, including armed individuals, into Parliament Lodges.

Case Registered Against PTI Leaders

Separately, Islamabad Police registered a case against multiple PTI MNAs, MPAs and other leaders over alleged rioting in the Red Zone.

The FIR, lodged at Secretariat Police Station, includes charges under Section 144 related to prohibitory orders, the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act (PAPO) 2024, and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, among other provisions.

According to police, assembly members and supporters allegedly opened fire, damaged government property, tore police uniforms and obstructed officials at Ataturk Avenue Link Road near Parliament Lodges. Two suspects were arrested, while others reportedly fled. Further arrests are expected.

Protests Linked to Imran’s Health Concerns

The ongoing demonstrations are linked to concerns over Imran Khan’s health. On Sunday, a five-member team of specialist doctors conducted a medical examination at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig said the examination, including an eye check-up, was carried out under the supervision of a medical board.

Opposition lawmakers have vowed to continue their sit-in until Imran is shifted for specialist treatment in the presence of his family and personal physicians, citing reports of deteriorating vision in his right eye.

Highway Blockades Disrupt Supplies

PTI workers have also blocked major highways linking Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Punjab for the past four days, disrupting the supply of essential commodities ahead of Ramazan.

The Peshawar Motorway remained closed from the Mardan Rashakai Interchange, while the Swabi section was also shut. Other affected routes include GT Road at Attock Bridge, Khushalgarh in Kohat and roads in Dera Ismail Khan leading to Punjab.

The blockades have raised concerns about shortages of flour, rice and pulses in K-P as protests enter their fourth consecutive day.