LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: On the eve of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned march on Islamabad, government officials urged the party to delay its demonstration. The march is set to take place at D-Chowk, but the government requested PTI to postpone for a couple of weeks due to the arrival of foreign dignitaries. The capital will soon host high-profile events, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit later this month.
Despite these calls, the PTI seems determined to move forward. If the party refuses to delay, the government has made preparations to block the protest. Nearly 300 containers are in place at entry and exit points of Islamabad. Additionally, around 6,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the city.
Security Measures in Islamabad and Lahore
Unlike Islamabad, Lahore will see a different approach. PTI has announced a demonstration at Minar-i-Pakistan on Saturday. Security pickets will be set up to intercept and round up protesters.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a press conference in Islamabad. He urged PTI to delay its protest until October 17, arguing that a demonstration during the SCO summit could damage Pakistan’s international reputation. He highlighted the presence of the Malaysian Prime Minister and expected delegations from China and Saudi Arabia. Naqvi warned that anyone caught protesting will face consequences, without leniency.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman also called for a postponement. He emphasized that holding protests during foreign dignitaries’ visits would send a negative message. Punjab Governor Saleem Haider Khan echoed these sentiments. He stressed that national dignity should take precedence over political differences.
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PTI’s Response
Sources revealed that PTI leader Imran Khan received a message from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, asking him to consider delaying the protest. However, Khan responded that the PTI would only delay the protest if the government postponed its planned constitutional amendments until October 25.
Despite the lack of a government response, PTI appears unwilling to back down. Gandapur, who also heads PTI’s KP chapter, declared his intent to reach Islamabad’s D-Chowk. In a video statement, he vowed to continue despite government barricades and police action. He announced that party workers from Peshawar and southern KP would gather at the Peshawar Motorway interchange, while others would meet at the Swabi interchange.
In Swabi, PTI leader Abdul Karim Khan confirmed that workers heading to Islamabad were prepared for tear-gas shelling. They are carrying food, water, and supplies for the protest.
Government’s Efforts to Block the Protest
To prevent protesters from reaching Islamabad, the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway (M-1) was closed near the Burhan interchange. Additionally, Grand Trunk Road near Hassanabdal was restricted to light vehicles, while heavy traffic was banned. Major transport companies also halted their services, with buses returning to Peshawar.
In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the crackdown on PTI intensified. Police arrested over 400 suspects, confiscating slingshots and marbles. Raids targeted PTI leaders and workers involved in previous protests. Pillion riding was also banned in the capital for two days.
In Lahore, the government imposed Section 144 for six days to prevent the PTI protest. Instead of containers, police and rangers will establish pickets to intercept protesters. Government sources emphasized that the recent crackdown in Rawalpindi and other cities sent a strong message to PTI to keep Lahore calm.
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