Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was arrested in Islamabad on Saturday, shortly after entering the capital with PTI workers to protest, despite the enforcement of Section 144. Islamabad police took him into custody at KP House, accusing him of damaging public property and using state resources for party activities.
Even though public gatherings were banned, Gandapur had vowed to join the PTI protest at D-Chowk, responding to Imran Khan’s call. Clashes between police and PTI workers were reported in several areas of Islamabad.
However, official sources have denied the arrest, calling reports of his detention “false.”
Earlier, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said no one could disrupt the upcoming SCO summit. He mentioned that the army and Frontier Corps were deployed to ensure security in the capital. Naqvi also criticized protesters for firing at police and using teargas.
Meanwhile, KP Information Adviser Barrister Saif stated that Gandapur’s phone was switched off after security forces sealed KP House and took him into custody.
In a related development, 17 PTI workers were booked under anti-terrorism charges after violent incidents at Faizabad. According to the FIR, PTI workers attacked police, injuring four officers, and damaged police vans while carrying sticks and chanting anti-state slogans.
The military has now been fully deployed in Islamabad to maintain order ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The Interior Ministry ordered the deployment under Article 245 of the Constitution, which will remain in effect until October 17.
