Services of the metro bus and mobile phones would remain suspended on Saturday (today) in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, sources said as the PTI would gather for protest at the Liaquat Bagh.

PTI founder Imran Khan told reporters earlier this week that the party’s planned September 28 rally in Rawalpindi would be replaced with a protest.

In reaction to the announcement of the protest, the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in Pindi for two days banning public gatherings in the city.

Despite the plans for the rally, the administration has yet to grant permission for the event.

PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram stated that his party would proceed with a protest at the same location if permission for the rally at the Liaquat Bagh were denied. In anticipation of the protest, a heavy police presence has been deployed both inside and outside the park, with authorities even removing individuals who came for leisurely walks in the area.

Apart from suspending mobile services, the administration is expected to declare a public holiday on Saturday and both Motorway M-1 and M-2 would be closed. Major roads from Chakri, Bahter, Taxila, and AWT will also be blocked.

The metro bus service in the twin cities would be halted and Murree Road might be closed off with containers to prevent access.

Sources stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur would participate in the protest, leading the demonstration alongside PTI leadership, who plan to arrive at the site in convoys.

The PTI leadership has instructed party workers to reach the site by 2pm for the protest.

Public gatherings banned

Section 144 has been enforced to prohibit all forms of political gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, demonstrations, and similar activities in the Rawalpindi Division.

It will remain in effect across all four districts of the Division: Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, and Chakwal.

Based on recommendations from the district administration, six companies of Rangers would be deployed in Rawalpindi and Attock due to concerns about armed miscreants potentially arriving in the area.

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A “formal communication” has been sent to the federal government regarding the deployment of Rangers.

Additionally, Rawalpindi City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani has ordered the cancellation of leave for officers. According to the directive, no officer is permitted to take leave and violations would result in termination from service.