A German delegation cancelled its visit to the Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Punjab’s Nankana Sahib on Saturday as the motorway was closed to counter the PTI protest, according to reports.
The delegation was scheduled to visit the sacred site as part of their trip. It was set to participate in a friendly hockey match between Pakistan and Germany in Shahkot but the visitors had to return without attending the scheduled events because of the closure of the motorway.
The friendly hockey match has also been postponed.
Earlier in the day, the Punjab government sought the military’s deployment in six districts, including Lahore amid the PTI’s announcement to stage rallies in the provincial capital.
A letter from the provincial government specified that the armed forces, civil armed forces and police would be deployed “around the airbase/ airport, routes, venues, accommodation, etc, falling within the territorial jurisdiction” of Punjab to maintain law and order as well as provide security to foreign delegates during the upcoming SCO summit.
Under the ROEs, the armed forces would be “allowed to take such measures as warranted by the situation, including using of firearms”.
The notification said: “Exact contours of deployment of armed forces will be determined by the military commander on ground in consultation with police commander.”
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In recent weeks, the PTI has organised numerous rallies nationwide to protest the “unlawful” detention of its founder, the delays by the Election Commission of Pakistan in executing the verdict on reserved seats, and to advocate for the “preservation” of the Constitution.
Prior to its rallies in Islamabad and Lahore earlier this month, the government imposed a series of stringent regulations. Imran Khan’s party did not fully adhere to these guidelines, leading to confrontations between its supporters and law enforcement agencies.
