The City Traffic Police of Rawalpindi has issued an advisory regarding road closures in various areas.
The closed roads include Faizabad, Murree Road, and Faiz-e-Islam with Stadium Road and Double Road.
Furthermore, Chandni Chowk, C Block, DAV College Chowk, Marir Chowk, Haider Road, Khanna Pul, Sahi Chowk, Naz Cinema, Kohati Bazaar Mor, Liaquat Bagh, T Chowk, Khayaban Sir Syed Road, Carriage Factory, 26 Number Chungi and Chairing Cross with Dhaman Syedan are the key routes affected in Rawalpindi.
The roads which are open include Kacheri Chowk, Old Airport Road and Sawan Bridge s also open for traffic, as reported by the police.
In anticipation of protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, schools in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have been closed today.
The Islamabad Private School Association announced the closures, citing safety concerns and roadblocks caused by the protests at D-Chowk.
Waheed Khan, the General Secretary of the Private School Association, emphasized that student safety is their top priority, especially after students faced significant disruptions the previous day due to containers placed on roads to manage traffic.
Abrar Ahmed, President of the Northern Punjab Private Schools Management Association, confirmed that schools in Rawalpindi would also remain closed to prevent any difficulties for students and staff.
In addition to school closures, the Islamabad police announced that all police facilitation centers and driving license offices would be shut down for the day.
Metro bus services in Rawalpindi have been suspended, affecting routes between Saddar and IJP Road, although services from IJP Road to Pak Secretariat will continue.
Heavy security measures are being implemented, with 4,000 police personnel deployed to maintain order as PTI marches to the federal capital.
The party is preparing for a significant rally, with participants advised to bring supplies to protect against potential teargas and obstacles along their route.
Authorities have sealed major routes from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, further complicating travel in the area.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has stated that he will go to D-Chowk no matter what; even if he is alone, he will go. He added that if anyone resorts to violence, they will be responsible for the consequences, and that he does not have the authority to postpone the protest.
It should be noted that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced a protest at D-Chowk in Islamabad today. The government has also finalized its plan to deal with the protest.
All routes to Islamabad have been blocked with containers. All private schools in the federal capital are closed today, the Metrobus service is suspended, and over 400 PTI workers, including 60 Afghans, have been arrested.
In this context, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said that their preparations are complete and their protest is peaceful. If anyone uses violence against their procession, they will be responsible for the consequences.
Ali Amin Gandapur further stated that the orders of party founder Imran Khan are a red line for him. There is no need to contact him regarding the protest; he does not have the authority to postpone it—that authority rests with Imran Khan.
The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said that he will continue to move forward until he receives orders from the party founder. Even if he is alone in the procession, he will continue to move forward.
In anticipation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s protests scheduled for October 4th at D-Chowk in Islamabad and October 5th at Minar-e-Pakistan ground, the administration has begun preparations. Containers have already been placed around Minar-e-Pakistan ground, and police personnel have been deployed. Meanwhile, 412 individuals have been arrested in Islamabad, and a ban on double riding has been imposed for two days.
Ahead of the PTI protests, more containers have been placed on Murree Road and Faizabad. Islamabad’s entry points will be completely closed due to the protests.
Motorways at Swabi, Haroonabad, Burhan, GT Road, Brahmana, Wah Cantt, and Mian Khan have been closed. Heavy machinery has arrived at the rest areas, along with fire brigades, mobile cranes, and ambulances.
Routes from KP sealed
All routes leading from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been blocked with containers. The M1 motorway is completely closed at four locations: GT Road, Attock Khurd, Hassanabdal, and Chashma Point. The CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) has also been sealed at various points. The closure of entry and exit routes throughout the district is causing difficulties for travelers.
Arrests in Islamabad
Islamabad police have begun making arrests ahead of the protests. Police have arrested 412 individuals, including street vendors, beggars, and motorcyclists, from across the city, and those arriving in Islamabad.
Sources say that approximately 60 Afghan citizens were also arrested in a sweep through Afghan settlements.
Sources report that all those arrested were apprehended in Bahara Kahu, Tarnol, and Sangjani. Islamabad police claim all those arrested are Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers.
Police say that sticks, slingshots, and stones intended for use in the protests were also recovered.
Security has been put on high alert following the arrests. Rangers will be deployed in the Red Zone starting tonight.
Ban on pillon riding
To maintain peace and order in the city, the Islamabad district administration has imposed a ban on double riding for the next two days. The ban came into effect at 12 midnight tonight. Strict legal action will be taken against motorcyclists violating the ban.
Metro Bus closed
The Metrobus service operating in the twin cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi) will also remain completely suspended today. The service from Rawalpindi’s main station to the Pakistan Secretariat will be closed.
Following a warning issued by the government to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding their planned protest at D-Chowk in Islamabad, the PTI has made a conditional offer to postpone the demonstration.
In an effort to prevent the protest before October 4, the government has transformed Islamabad into a container city and has arrested over 400 individuals. They have also closed the highways leading to Islamabad and Lahore, along with routes coming from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Zain Qureshi, son of Shah Mehmood Qureshi and a PTI leader, discussed the conditional offer to postpone the protest during a private TV channel’s program.
Qureshi stated that if the government postpones the 26th constitutional amendment beyond October 23, the PTI would also delay its rallies and sit-ins.
It is noteworthy that Senator Faisal Vawda claimed during the Aaj News program “Rubaroo” that no one would show up at D-Chowk tomorrow.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has issued a stern warning against those planning to launch an “onslaught on Islamabad,” as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intends to hold a demonstration at the capital’s D-Chowk area on Friday.
As part of its anti-government campaign, the former ruling party, founded by Imran Khan, is organizing protests to demand the “independence” of the judiciary and the release of the former prime minister from prison.
The protest is set to coincide with the final day of the Malaysian Prime Minister’s visit to Pakistan and the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Authorities have already imposed Section 144 and enforced the “Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024,” which regulates public gatherings in designated areas of Islamabad.
“The PTI leadership should reconsider their call for a protest. No one will be allowed to storm Islamabad,” the Minister emphasized during a press conference with federal police officials.
Naqvi reiterated that Section 144 is already enforced in Islamabad, cautioning that authorities are prepared to manage any potential protests.
He noted that foreign delegations, including those from China and Saudi Arabia, are expected in the capital, stating that the upcoming SCO summit on October 15 and 16 is crucial for Pakistan.
“Paramilitary forces, the army, and Rangers have been deployed to ensure security in the capital,” he added.
The Minister stressed that national interests must take precedence over political agendas, urging that any actions that could damage the country’s reputation should be avoided.
“We hope that KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur will refrain from any actions that could bring disrepute to the nation,” he stated.
“The PTI is a Pakistani party, not a foreign entity. When a head of state is present in Islamabad, planning a protest at that time is completely inappropriate,” Naqvi remarked.
He cautioned that even a minor incident during the Malaysian Prime Minister’s visit could have lasting repercussions for the country. “You have until tomorrow to reconsider your protest call, as there is no authorization to proceed with an assault,” he said.
“If anyone engages in disruptive actions tomorrow, they should not expect any leniency. This is a critical situation for us,” the Minister warned, adding that those caught should not expect the administration to show mercy.
He further indicated that the police are fully prepared for any arrivals in the capital, stating that no complaints should arise if individuals are dealt with firmly.
Pakistan is preparing to host the SCO summit starting October 15, with Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch announcing that the event will include a ministerial meeting and several rounds of senior officials’ discussions, focusing on enhancing cooperation in finance, economics, socio-cultural affairs, and humanitarian efforts among member states.
Senator Faisal Vawda has predicted the complete demise of the party, stating that it will not simply lose, but will be politically buried.
In an exclusive interview on Aaj News’ program “Rubaroo” Vawda questioned Imran Khan’s reluctance to bring his own children to the forefront of his political activities, stating, “You won’t bring your own children here and instead sacrifice other people’s children, collecting bodies so they free you.”
He suggested that Khan’s recent actions stem from a feeling of being trapped, referencing the arrest of other PTI leaders. Vawda believes Khan is resorting to his old tactics because he feels cornered.
Regarding the planned October 4th protest at D-Chowk, Vawda claimed that despite the illegality of such gatherings, PTI members are planning to come to Islamabad to provoke a government response and arrest of party members, using this as a tool against the government.
However, he predicted that ultimately, no one will show up.
Vawda further asserted that PTI leader Fayaz Hamid will not only face a court-martial but will also be imprisoned. He also claimed that Imran Khan and Ali Amin Gandapur will face charges of murder (302) and sedition.
