Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Sirajul Haq has alleged that action was taken against party workers after the government received a call from Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland.

“JI had announced the Gaza March at the American embassy and preparations were underway when suddenly the government arrested JI Islamabad leadership, tortured workers and refused to allow the March,” he said in a video posted on X.

He condemned the “actions against the JI after Secretary Nuland call with the government.”

In his video message, Haq said that he was on his way to Islamabad while urging the people to arrive in the capital to participate in the rally.

Meanwhile, JI workers blocked the Kashmir Highway in Islamabad after police arrested several workers of the party who were preparing for Sunday’s Gaza March at the American embassy in Islamabad.

Central Naib Ameer Mian Muhammad Aslam led the protest, where workers burned tires on the Kashmir Highway and demanded the release of the arrested workers.

JI leaders were among the arrested on Saturday as they were preparing for the ‘Gaza March’, which is scheduled for Sunday (tomorrow) in front of the US embassy.

Police said that it halted the preparations for the protest after the capital administration refused to allow the JI to organise the rally.

The operation was initiated after the workers began protesting while they were preparing for the protest at the Srinagar Highway, they added.

After the arrest of the JI workers, other gathered at Serena Chowk and began a protest. The JI workers chanted slogans against Islamabad Police and administration.