Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur could not reach Rawalpindi to join the party’s protest as he got stuck at the Burhan Interchange, where he eventually announced to end protests and asked the workers to return.
The Chief Minister’s convoy reached Mardan, where, while speaking to the media, he said, “A major event is about to happen, Section 804 has been enforced in Pakistan, and we will cross every obstacle to reach Rawalpindi. Stay tuned for what’s coming ahead.”
He added, “The Punjab government should do its job; we are prepared to face anything. Let the Punjab government do whatever it can; we are not afraid.”
From Mardan, he proceeded to Swabi, where PTI workers had gathered to join the protest in Rawalpindi. The motorway was blocked from both sides, causing significant difficulties for the people, with heavy machinery vehicles also stuck on the motorway.
The Chief Minister’s convoy was also trapped in traffic, after which Ali Amin Gandapur decided to proceed on foot, instructing the workers to move their vehicles forward. He climbed onto the container set up for the protest and later, the convoy set off from Swabi towards Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The convoy also included heavy machinery to remove obstacles.
The Chief Minister’s convoy crossed the Attock Bridge and entered Punjab and reached Tarbela Interchange.
Near Hazara Expressway, the motorway was blocked by containers, and Punjab Police resorted to tear gas shelling on PTI workers.
Similarly, the convoys led by Azam Swati faced intense shelling at the Punjab border. Long lines of vehicles formed beyond Hazara Interchange as the motorway remained blocked.
After the challenge from government ministers, Ali Amin crossed Attock for the second time, said Barrister Saif.
He added that despite the shelling at Burhan, the convoy continued to advance, removing obstacles along the way. He remarked that containers were proving to be mere walls of sand against the sea of people, accusing the Sharif family of looting public resources and using them for political purposes.
He criticized attempts to divert attention by accusing Ali Amin of using public resources, calling it a failed strategy. He also remarked that press conferences by government ministers revealed their fear.
PTI workers resume march towards Rawalpindi
At Burhan Interchange, after the police’s shelling stopped, PTI workers resumed their march towards Rawalpindi.
Long queues of vehicles formed on the motorway, and PTI workers began advancing on foot. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister’s convoy reached Burhan, and he switched from the container to a Vigo vehicle, instructing workers to move ahead as shelling continued.
Beyond Burhan, Punjab Police resumed tear gas shelling on PTI workers, with Ali Amin Gandapur also caught in the crowd.
Ali Amin Gandapur then announced the end of the protest and instructed the workers to return. He stated, “We will come again.”
When the motorway was blocked and shelling continued at Burhan, the workers protested in front of the Chief Minister’s vehicle. With the Burhan Interchange closed, the Chief Minister sat inside his vehicle, which angered the workers. They demanded that he get out and march with them on foot. Protesters complained, “We are facing tear gas here while the ministers are sitting comfortably in their vehicles.”
In response to the workers’ protest, the Chief Minister stepped out of his vehicle and instructed them to move forward, but the workers demanded that he walk with them.
This caused the Chief Minister to become angry, and he used inappropriate language towards the workers.
Afterward, he got back into his vehicle.
