The ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Monday is set to begin its sit-in in Islamabad to protest against the superior judiciary for “facilitating” Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the wake of his recent arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

The protesters, which also comprise workers and supporters of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), have camped outside the Supreme Court with many seen climbing the judges gate as well after making their way into the Red Zone.

PDM leadership including its chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PML-N Senior Vice-President Maryam Nawaz have reached the sit-in venue and have stepped onto the stage.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Interior and Legal Affairs Attaullah Tarar also reached Shahrah-e-Dastoor earlier.

PTI chief, taking to Twitter, reacted to the PDM sit-in terming the protesters “goons” who are “being facilitated by our security agencies to take over the SC and subvert the constitution”.

Khan has asked all citizens to be ready for “peaceful protests”, sharing fears regarding the “end of Pak dream” once the Constitution and SC are destroyed.

Earlier, Fazl rejected the government’s request to shift the sit-in venue from the Supreme Court.

With Section 144 imposed in the federal capital, the Islamabad police have urged protestors to remain peaceful warning them about threats of terrorism.

The convoys of PDM coalition parties including JUI-F and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have set out to join the protest in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, protestors in Gilgit Baltistan blocked the main intersection inside the district headquarter in Astor while protesting at the Eidgah Ali Murtaza on JUI-F chief’s call.

Convoy of protestors from Rawalpindi, Kohat, Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, and Malakand are on their way to join the protest in the federal capital.

From Rawalpindi, PML-N’s convoy is being led by Haneef Abbasi and Sardar Naseem and will enter Islamabad’s Faizabad via Rawalpindi’s Murree Road.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) have also announced to join the sit-in.

The development was shared by Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, PML-Q politician and son of party supremo Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who said their convoy has reached Islamabad to participate in the protest outside the apex court.

‘Threats of terrorism’

The Islamabad Police warned protesters about “threats of terrorism” after their entry in the Red Zone and had earlier asked citizens to cooperate and remain calm.

However, the situation, police said, was peaceful.

The police sources told Geo News that the stage for the sit-in will be set up at a distance from the Supreme Court.

“There is no objection if the stage is set up in front of the Election Commission of Pakistan and Prime Minster House,” the police sources said.

It added that its strategy is against placing the stage right in front of the SC.

‘Sit-in subject to interior ministry approval’

According to the district administration, protesters entered into the Red Zone via the Serena intersection and pushed away the police and administration.

“Protesters were informed about the government’s orders on behalf of the administration,” the administration said.

Local administration and police have informed the interior ministry regarding the situation of the protest. “The district administration had decided to allow the PDM to protest, but subject to the approval of the interior ministry.”

This is a developing story and will be updated with details