In complete defiance of the government orders to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers not to enter the Islamabad’s Red Zone, hundreds of party workers made their way into the zone early Thursday morning, and attacked the personnel of law-enforcement agencies (LEAs), reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

There are reports that the PTI workers pelted the Rangers’ personnel with stones despite the fact that the latter kept urging them to remain calm and not to take the law into their own hands.  

Later, former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan also reached the zone from Peshawar along with thousands of his supporters and addressed the gathering.

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Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, who was present inside the zone, appealed to the marchers not to resort to violence and exercise restraint. 

“Police and other LEAs do not have weapons with them. You are requested not to turn your political activity into violence,” he said to the PTI workers. 

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He also made it clear to them that at no cost would their presence be tolerated inside the capital city’s most sensitive area. “We have learnt that some of the marchers are armed,” he said, adding, “Therefore, you are requested to comply with the court’s directives.    

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The IG said said the police had been ordered not to use "unnecessary force" against the protesters. "The police and other law enforcement agencies deployed in Islamabad are not carrying any weapons. But information has been received that some of the protesters are carrying weapons that could lead to the loss of precious lives. Therefore, all protesters are requested to keep the protest peaceful as it was a political process."

Protesters enter Blue Area

Meanwhile, PTI protesters in Islamabad had set vehicles and trees on fire in the Blue Area of the federal capital. According to the police, the fire brigade was called in immediately to douse the fire; however, the protesters also attacked the fire engine.

The police further added that security in the Red Zone area had been increased.

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In another development, PTI workers threw stones using catapults at the Jang/Geo building located near D-Chowk and shattered the glasses of the newsroom.

Due to stone-pelting, several staffers got injured. Also, vans parked near D-Chowk were damaged.

Earlier, the federal government authorised the deployment of Army in Red Zone to protect important government buildings.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah issued a notification saying the government had authorised the deployment of the Army in Red Zone under Article 245 of the Constitution.

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Among the buildings that will be protected are the Supreme Court, Parliament House, Prime Minister House, Presidency, Pakistan Secretariat and Diplomatic enclaves,” the notification said.

Reporter: Farzana Siddique