ISLAMABAD: Though Imran Khan has directed the PTI workers to remain peaceful and avoid arrests, the situation at Banigala changed for a while after rumours that KP minister Amin Gandapur and Shireen Mazari had been arrested while coming to the residence of the party chief.

In the morning, the police fired a few tear gas shells on the PTI workers but after that there was a complete silence in the area.

Three women wearing shrouds and chanting slogans for justice remained the centre of media attention while other workers remained busy in gossiping.

However, when some workers, who managed to reach near the residence of Imran Khan, claimed that the police had arrested Mr Gandapur and Ms Mazari, around charged 500 PTI supporters rushed towards the police deployed at a distance.

The workers started throwing stones at the police andin retaliation thelatterKred tear gas shells on them. The standoff, however, did not last more than half an hour after it was confirmed that Ms Mazari had reached Banigala and the KP minister man-aged to go back.

In the meantime, the Bhara Kahu police told mediapersons that they had recovered a heavy cache of weapons from the vehicle of Mr Gandapur and arrested 134 people. The police said Mr Gandapur managed to escape.

The police showed to the mediapersons three bulletproofjackets,one teargasgun, one SMG with a close handle, one SMG with a telescope, 13 SMG magazines, 289 rounds, two magazine of 9mm, one bottle of liquor and six slaughtered partridges, etc.

This triggered a new debate whether the PTI wanted to use weapons in the Nov 2 protest.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told a press conference that the weapons and other items recovered from Mr Gandapur`s vehicle would be produced in the court on Monday.

Imran Khan informed the media that Mr Gandapur`s life was in danger as he was continuously receiving threats.

`I just want to clarify that we have called our families and sisters to participate in the protest on November 2. So how can we use weapons during the protest in which our families will also be participating,` he said.

Mr Gandapur said all the weapons belonged to him or his guards who were police officials.

`I have licences for the guns and a permit to carry 500 rounds but there were only 289 rounds. The bottle showed by the police to the media contained honey. But it is possible that the police might have replaced the honey with liquor. Same is the case with thetear gas gun as it might belong to the police, he said.

In reply to a question, he said he had security threats and used to change number plates of his vehicle and that was why there were extra number plates in the car.

The police also alleged that four people carrying a large quantity of chilli powder were arrested in Golra. The police doubted that the chilli could have been used by the PTI workers against the police.

Peace to be maintained in capital Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division Tariq Fazal Chaudhry while inaugurating the supply of gas to Shakrial said peace of the city would be ensured duringthe protestofthe PTI.

`It is our responsibility to ensure that schools and offices remained open and we will ensure this,` he said.

KP chief minister In a statement, the Ministry of Interior said if the chief minister of KP wanted to come to Islamabad he would be provided foolproof security. However, he has been informed that armed persons will not be allowed to come with him.

The armed persons will be considered to be coming for participating in the protest.

On Sunday, an incident occurred in which a provincial minister reached Islamabad along with people who had to take part in the protest.