- PTI calls off Islamabad protest for Imran Khan’s release.
- Federal capital has been completely sealed off with containers.
- JI adamant to stage sit-in in Islamabad despite restrictions.
At least five activists of Jamat-e-Islami (JI) workers have been arrested in the federal capital for defying Section 144 by staging demonstrations against inflation, while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) called off its rally in the federal capital after the local administration denied it permission in view of security concerns.
JI is protesting against a massive hike in electricity prices while the PTI took to streets across the country today (Friday) to press for the release of the party’s founder, Imran Khan and other detained part leaders.
The federal capital has been completely sealed off with containers, effectively isolating it from surrounding areas, including Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, strict security arrangements have been made in Islamabad, with blockades on various arteries to keep the protesters from gathering, leading to widespread traffic disruptions across the city.
Section 144 remains imposed across Punjab and the federal capital, prohibiting assemblies, processions and protests ahead of rallies announced by opposition parties.
Personnel of law enforcement agencies have been deployed in the federal capital to ensure compliance and citizens are urged to avoid participating in any illegal activity.
At least five individuals affiliated with JI were arrested by the Islamabad police while trying to gather in the federal capital for a protest at D-Chowk.
Several others were arrested in Lahore as well when JI protesters gathered to march towards Islamabad.
Meanwhile, 30 PTI workers were arrested in Karachi as they gathered at Teen Talwar for the protest. The police first tried to disperse the demonstrators but later made the arrests upon resistance.
Separately, 10 other PTI workers were arrested in Hyderabad during a protest.
While demonstrations were reported in different cities of the county, the former ruling party called off the protest for Khan’s release in Islamabad till Monday.
Party’s Islamabad chapter president Amir Mughal said they will stage protest on Monday as a verdict was reserved by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on the petition seeking permission for demonstration on July 29.
As the JI protestors tried to reach the capital territory on leadership’s call, roads leading to the city from Rawalpindi were closed with containers.
On the Faizabad interchange, the police party was deployed to tackle the JI protestors coming in from different parts of the country for the sit-in.
Meanwhile, the road leading to Parliament House from D-Chowk has been completely blocked with barricades, but there the traffic moved without any trouble.
The protesters trying to gather at this point were being dispersed or taken into custody by the law enforcers.
The police said that they would not allow JI to protest in Islamabad without permission.
They said that Red Zone is a sensitive location and no one can be allowed to stage sit-ins there.
The police said that JI is expecting caravans of its supporters coming from Karachi but they are trying to connect with the party’s top leadership in this regard.
However, the JI remained adamant about staging the protests today as its Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman told the supporters to stage sit-in wherever they find obstructions.
A protest procession of the party reached the Liaquat Bagh area and moved towards Islamabad via Murree Road. Later, police were deployed at this point as well to keep the protestors from going to Islamabad.
At this, the protestors blocked one track of the Muree Road.
Section 144
A high-level meeting took place late Thursday night to discuss the security situation. The meeting was attended by heads of law enforcement agencies, local administration officials, intelligence agencies and relevant authorities.
The attendees were informed that Section 144 has been imposed in the federal capital due to concerns about terrorism and potential disruptions to law and order. Police sources stated that the police force is fully prepared and equipped to handle any unpleasant incidents.
JI unyielding to restrictions
The leadership of JI expressed its resolve to hold a sit-in at ‘D Chowk’ while defying all the restrictions being imposed by the Islamabad administration and police today.
In a statement issued earlier in the day, JI Secretary Information Qaiser Sharif said that the police are raiding the homes of the party’s workers and during a raid at JI Secretary General Amirul Azeem’s home, the law enforcers arrested his driver.
“Jamaat-e-Islami leader Hafiz Muhammad Ajmal has been arrested. In Kharian, leader Mian Usman Rafi has been taken into custody. Eight other leaders have also been arrested from Khairpur Tamewali,” he added.
While detailing the arrests of other leaders as well, Qaiser lamented that the Punjab government has resorted to its “traditional tactics” and claimed that the raids are being conducted in a bid to stop the sit-in from being staged.
“Workers are being asked to promise that they won’t partake in the sit-in. At least 70 people have been arrested,” he added.
