The Islamabad administration blocked roads leading to the federal capital to halt Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters who are scheduled to march towards the city on Sunday for the “restoration” of democracy and their party founder’s release.
“The government is committed to upholding the law and will fully comply with the Islamabad High Court’s ruling,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Islamabad on Friday.
Incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan has asked his supporters to march towards Islamabad on November 24 for democracy and judiciary. But Defence Minister Khawaja Asif believes the protest is akin to “insurrection” as the former ruling party allegedly wants to usurp the federal capital.
The PTI founder has set four demands for ending protests while his wife has stated that the date would only change if Khan is out of jail.
Khan’s PTI encountered a significant setback on Thursday when the Islamabad High Court ruled that no protests or rallies violating a recent law on public gatherings would be permitted over the weekend due to the visit of the Belarusian president.
“No one will be allowed to stage protests or sit-ins in Islamabad. The court has clearly ordered that no protests are permitted,” Naqvi said.
The interior minister noted that individuals coming for the sit-in would be held responsible for their actions. Furthermore, Naqvi clarified that he has no contact with anyone in Adiala Jail, amidst ongoing tensions related to the planned protest.
Maintaining peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the provincial government’s responsibility, he stated and added: “I personally believe that shops, businesses, roads, and mobile services should not be shut down.”
The interior minister also mentioned that he would speak with the prime minister today and would act on any directives received. “If they come to Islamabad, they will see the consequences,” he said.
The entrances and exits of the Kala Shah Kaku, Kot Abdul Malik, and Faizpur motorway interchanges have been blocked with containers.
All routes leading into Lahore from Saggian Ravi Bridge, Shahdara Ravi Bridge, Imamia Colony, and Barkat Town have also been completely sealed off with barriers.
In Lahore, shipping containers have been placed at the Babu Sabu Interchange to close the motorway. Traffic from Niazi Adda to Babu Sabu Interchange has been severely disrupted, with thousands of containers lining the motorway.
All bus terminals in Faizabad have been closed with barricades. The M-1 motorway from Islamabad to Peshawar has been shut down and entry to the M-2 motorway from Islamabad to Lahore is also blocked.
According to motorway spokespersons, only exit would be allowed for those travelling on the M-1 and M-2 motorways.
At least six sections of the motorways would be closed from Friday night because of ‘maintenance’, the National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP) said.
“The general public is hereby informed that due to road maintenance, the following motorways will remain closed starting from 8:00 PM on November 22,” it said in a Facebook post.
M-1: Islamabad to Peshawar
M-2: Islamabad to Lahore
M-3: Lahore to Abdul Hakeem
M-4: Pindi Bhattian to Multan
M-14: Hakla to Yarik
M-11: Lahore to Sialkot
The motorway police have reported receiving information about “illegal protests” scheduled for November 24, indicating that angry demonstrators may be plotting to disrupt public order.
According to a spokesperson for the motorway police, there are “intelligence reports” suggesting that protesters will be armed with sticks and slingshots and they plan to damage government property.
Police officials have stated that protecting the lives and property of the people is the state’s responsibility, and those taking the law into their own hands will be dealt with severely. In preparation for any emergency situations, various motorways are being closed at multiple locations.
An additional 30,000 security personnel have arrived to maintain law and order in Islamabad. This force includes:
Punjab Police: 19,000 personnel
Azad Jammu and Kashmir: 1,000 personnel
Sindh: 5,000 personnel
Frontier Corps: 5,000 personnel
All units would assist the Islamabad police in dispersing any potential protestors. Sources added that all security personnel were “fully equipped” to handle demonstrations.
The Islamabad police have around 11,000 officers and the combined forces aim to maintain control over the situation as tensions rise in the capital.
The city administration has decided to suspend the metro bus service in the twin cities.
The metro bus service would be completely halted on November 24, specifically between the President Station and the Pakistan Secretariat Station, according to the district administration.
The Punjab government imposed Section 144 in the province from November 23 to 25th for three days aimed to address security concerns and maintain law and order.
The spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department said that the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order had recommended the implementation of Section 144 in its 18th meeting on Thursday.
According to the notification, the decision to implement Section 144 was made for the establishment of law and order, and protection of human lives and property.
According to a spokesperson, all political gatherings, protests, sit-ins, and similar activities are strictly prohibited under this order.
The government highlights the potential risks associated with public assemblies, which could become targets for terrorist attacks.
Sources stated that 4,888 police personnel would be deployed to prevent the PTI protest and disperse its supporters. In Rawalpindi, the deployment will include five superintendents of police, 21 deputy superintendents of police, and 84 inspectors. Each designated point would be equipped with six tear gas guns and 500 tear gas shells.
Each unit would also be provided with two 12-bore shotguns and 100 rubber bullets while a special team would be on standby for additional rubber bullets and tear gas shells, they said and added that officers and personnel would be prohibited from carrying mobile phones during duty and they would not be allowed to bring any other weapons.
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Over 40 barriers are expected to be set up across the Rawal Division to block access, with 12 specialised teams deployed at various locations. In the Cantonment Circle, barriers would be erected at 14 points, while seven barriers would be set up in the Taxila Circle and additional barriers would also be installed at the Brahma Interchange and Paswal Interchange.
Moreover, traffic would be halted on key routes including the M2, Old Toll Plaza, M1, and from the Fateh Jang Toll Plaza to the Chakri Interchange. In the President Circle, police would set up barriers at 13 locations to manage the situation.
To ensure the safety of the metro bus service, specialised teams from relevant police stations would be deployed at each station, equipped for any eventualities. Eight specialised teams would be positioned along the metro track, armed with tear gas shells and rubber bullets.
Two specialised teams, consisting of the Elite Force and Dolphin Force, would accompany the chief police officer and the senior superintendent of police of Rawalpindi. Special police teams would also be stationed at the emergency departments of all hospitals in Rawalpindi, with a contingency plan in place for any emergencies that may arise during the anticipated protests.
