PTI Convoy Led by Ali Amin Gandapur Crosses Swabi Interchange, Protesters Await in Atnak

Peshawar: Convoys from various cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have set out towards Islamabad to participate in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest, led by party leaders. The convoy led by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has successfully crossed the Swabi Interchange, with PTI’s First Lady, Bushra Bibi, reported to be staying at the Swabi Rest House.
According to sources, another convoy, led by Omar Ayub, is also heading towards Islamabad. Upon Omar Ayub’s arrival in Islamabad, Gandapur’s convoy will depart as well. Meanwhile, protesters who are part of Gandapur’s convoy have reportedly hidden in the thick trees near the motorway at Attock, waiting for his arrival.
At the Swabi Rest Area, Ali Amin Gandapur addressed his supporters, urging them to rally forward with energy, saying, “We need to use our strength to open the road. Stay united and help each other, especially to clear the path for machinery.” When asked by Aaj News about roadblocks along the way, Gandapur confidently stated, “We will clear all the roads and reach Islamabad. Don’t worry.”
Gandapur, who arrived in Swabi from Peshawar by car earlier in the afternoon, mounted a container truck and began leading the convoy towards Islamabad. There were also reports on social media about a verbal altercation between him and Bushra Bibi before his departure, but despite these reports, Bushra Bibi is also part of the protest convoy, according to PTI’s spokesperson, Shaikh Waqas Akram.
Sheikh Waqas confirmed that Bushra Bibi, despite earlier health-related concerns, is actively participating in the protest and has joined the convoy, saying, “A worker should not be left behind at this moment.” Bushra Bibi’s sister, Marium Riyaz Watoo, also posted on social media, defending her participation, stating that despite warnings about her health, she is committed to walking the path of righteousness.
Road Blockages and Resolutions:
In Dera Ismail Khan, heavy machinery is being used to clear containers blocking the CPEC route, restoring traffic flow as convoys continue their journey towards Islamabad. Additionally, the Peshawar-Islamabad motorway had earlier been closed for all traffic at the Peshawar toll plaza, but it has now been reopened by local police.
In other areas, such as Nowshera and Attock, large containers were set up to block roads, with heavy police and security forces deployed to handle any confrontations with the PTI convoys. Meanwhile, toll plaza staff along the motorway were instructed to vacate their cabins, allowing vehicles to pass without paying toll fees.
Further Protest Developments:
Convoys from other regions, including Swat and Mansehra, are also heading towards Islamabad, with local PTI leaders like Provincial Minister Fazal Hakim leading the groups. In Mansehra, multiple convoys from different Tehsils are converging to join the main protest in Islamabad.
With security forces and barriers in place, the confrontation between PTI supporters and the authorities is expected to intensify, especially at strategic locations like Attock and the Punjab-KP borders.