All entry and exit points to Lahore have been blocked by authorities in anticipation of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest, causing significant disruption for residents.
Containers and barriers have been placed across major roads leading in and out of the provincial capital. All connecting roads have been sealed off, and motorways leading out of Lahore to other cities are closed. The Babu Sabu area is also blocked with containers and barriers, and heavily guarded by police.
Roads leading to Shahdara and Bhatti Chowk are blocked in both directions. Containers are also present on the Azadi Flyover, causing significant traffic congestion and frustration among citizens. Police officers are stationed on the flyover, some wielding batons.
The motorway connecting Lahore to Islamabad is closed. All bus stations along the closed roads have been shut down. The Lahore Ring Road is completely closed to traffic at all interchanges.
The Ravi Bridge, Old Ravi Bridge, Saggian Ravi Bridge, Eastern Bypass, and Babu Sabu are completely closed to incoming and outgoing traffic. Traffic is flowing only on Thokar Niaz Beg to Multan Road. Raiwind Road, Ferozepur Road, and Gujjarpura Road remain open.
A Lahore Traffic Police spokesperson stated that traffic within the city itself is flowing normally.
Section 144 has been imposed for three days in Punjab and fifteen days in Balochistan, prohibiting all protests, gatherings, processions, rallies, and sit-ins.
Bus stations in Lahore have been closed. Road closures have led to a surge in passengers at the railway station. In response to the increased demand, railway authorities have added extra trains to Rawalpindi from Lahore.
Clashes erupted between police and PTI workers on Lahore’s Lytton Road, resulting in several PTI activists being detained. Police arrested Hafiz Zeeshan and other workers. A heavy police presence is reported at the scene. PTI leader Nadeem Abbas Bara escaped the area. The Lahore PTI protest had a surprisingly low turnout.
Ahead of the protest, containers were placed on entry and exit routes to Lahore. All connecting roads were blocked with containers, and motorways leading out of Lahore were closed. Babo Sabo was also sealed off with containers and barriers, with a significant police deployment.
The roads leading to Shadara and Batti Chowk were blocked from both sides. Containers were also placed on the Azadi Flyover, causing significant traffic disruption and frustration among citizens. Police officers with batons are stationed on the flyover.
PTI announced a protest at Batti Chowk led by Salman Akram Raja. The party stated that MNAs, ticket holders, Lahore PTI leadership, and workers would participate. They added that if routes are cleared, people from other cities will proceed to Islamabad.
PTI leader Imtiaz Sheikh urged supporters to reach Batti Chowk by 12 noon, with all Lahore convoys converging there.
