More than 400 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protesters were arrested on Saturday as the police launched a crackdown on them before the Islamabad protest which is scheduled for Sunday (tomorrow).

The federal capital administration has banned public gatherings given the security situation. But the decision was taken after incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan gave the protest date.

Sources within the police stated that at least 300 PTI activists, including both men and women, were apprehended during the crackdown in Islamabad. They claimed that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the arrested individuals.

The detained activists have been transferred to various police stations.

Separately over 100 PTI supporters were arrested in Rawalpindi. The detainees have been transferred to different stations. The Rawalpindi police conducted a flag march to demonstrate their presence.

In a separate incident, police raided the home of Basima Chaudhry, the niece of former PTI president Pervez Elahi, in Mandi Bahauddin.

Basima claimed that plainclothes officers entered her home at 2:30am, violating the sanctity of her residence. She claimed that the police harassed her staff and vandalised her belongings during the raid.

She condemned the Punjab government, stating that it has become “blind to political revenge.” The PTI lawmaker described the recent actions against her and other PTI members as “tantamount to terrorism” and called on institutions to take notice.

Basima emphasised her commitment to serving Pakistan, having renounced her US citizenship, and demanded clarity on what their alleged mistakes are and why they are being punished.

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Following motorways will be closed from Friday night due to ‘maintenance’

Blocking roads

Moreover, authorities have dismantled parts of the main Murree Road in the scenic Galiyat region of Abbottabad. Officials reported that heavy machinery was used to block the road in the Baryani area, halting the movement of both tourists and local residents.

Reports indicate that a large number of citizens have flocked to the Rawalpindi Railway Station, resulting in a doubling of passenger traffic. Many individuals were unable to purchase tickets due to the overwhelming crowd.

Despite the availability of shuttle trains, thousands of passengers have been unable to reach their destinations and have set up makeshift camps at the station. Railway officials have assured that efforts are under way to transport passengers to their destinations.

The closure of major roads and containers placed throughout Islamabad and Rawalpindi has drastically affected normal life in the region, with dozens of locations in the twin cities obstructed.

Wedding procession halted on motorway

A wedding procession travelling from Sialkot to Lahore was stopped on the motorway, prompting the groom to appeal to the media and authorities for a clear path to ensure timely arrival. The groom expressed concern that the bride’s family in Lahore is anxiously awaiting the procession.

A patient died at the Jhelum Bridge in Sarai Alamgir due to the closure of roads and bridges, reports said. The old bridge in Jhelum was blocked. Relatives were forced to carry the deceased on foot as vehicles were not permitted to pass. Footage showed the grieving family carrying the body while walking along the blocked roads.

Another individual also could not be transported to the hospital due to road closures. The ongoing protests have led to the closure of all three bridges in Jhelum, exacerbating the already dire situation for those in need of urgent medical care.