In response to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) announcement of a protest in Islamabad today, authorities have enforced stringent security measures, leading to widespread road closures across Islamabad and Rawalpindi. With security on high alert, Section 144 has been imposed, restricting public gatherings in the capital.
Key access points between the twin cities have been sealed off as security personnel, including police and Rangers, have been deployed at strategic locations. Barbed wire has been placed at D-Chowk to restrict movement, while additional police contingents are stationed across Islamabad.
Road Closures and Traffic Blockades
In preparation for the protest, significant road closures have been enacted, including the placement of double-layer containers at Faizabad Bridge and other key intersections along the Islamabad Expressway. The IJP Road has been blocked, and all major access routes to Rawalpindi’s Murree Road are now impassable. Roads leading to the Red Zone and D-Chowk, including those near Serena Hotel, Jinnah Avenue, Nadra Square, Marriott Hotel, and Zero Point, are also shut down.
Additional entry points between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, such as the Srinagar Highway at Bus Stop 26, Faizabad Chowk, Sanjgani Toll Plaza, Margalla Road, and 9th Avenue, have been closed. Heavy police deployments are visible on these connecting routes, leaving the cities’ transportation system in disarray.
Metro Bus Service and Pillion Riding Ban
To further control the situation, the metro bus service in Rawalpindi has been suspended indefinitely. Meanwhile, in Islamabad, a two-day ban on pillion riding has been imposed, with authorities promising strict legal actions against violators.
Heightened Security Around Adiala Jail
Security around Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where PTI founder Imran Khan is currently detained, has also been bolstered. Containers have been positioned around the jail, and roads leading to the prison from Gorakhpur have been closed. The increased police presence around Adiala Jail highlights the tense atmosphere as authorities brace for potential unrest.
Interior Minister’s Warning
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reiterated his previous warning to PTI against holding protests at D-Chowk. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, he acknowledged the right of citizens to hold rallies but condemned the manner in which PTI is organizing the protest, calling it “inappropriate.”
“We cannot permit this; the situation is clear for everyone to see,” Naqvi remarked, affirming that the Islamabad police and administration are prepared to carry out their duties to maintain law and order.
As the day unfolds, Islamabad and Rawalpindi remain under tight security, with citizens experiencing significant disruptions in their daily routines due to the ongoing road closures and heightened measures.
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