ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the government has been compelled to take protective measures in the capital today, Sunday, as authorities place Islamabad under a security lockdown with thousands of Imran Khan supporters expected to reach here for an anti-government protest.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is leading a “long march” to the capital as it seeks his release from prison. The jailed former prime minister has been in prison for well over a year on charges he says are politically motivated. The PTI is also protesting against alleged rigging in the February general elections, and seeks to highlight its concerns about judicial independence, which it claims has been undermined by the 26th Constitutional Amendment, a charge denied by the government.
Paramilitary soldiers stand guard at the Red Zone area blocked with shipping containers ahead of a protest rally by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in Islamabad on November 24, 2024. (AFP)
Security in the capital has been beefed up with paramilitary forces deployed at various parts of the city, equipped with riot gear, to quell any unrest by protesters. Pakistan’s interior ministry announced late Saturday night that mobile data and Internet service have been shut down in sensitive areas.
All major roads leading to Islamabad from the capital’s surrounding areas have been sealed off with shipping containers ahead of the protest. Pakistani authorities have also closed motorways at various locations to prevent Khan supporters from arriving in Islamabad.
“I am hopeful that this drama by the PTI will come to an end tonight and that the situation will return to normalcy,” Iqbal told reporters during a news conference in Lahore. He blamed the PTI for attempting to disrupt Pakistan’s economic recovery by creating chaos.
Paramilitary soldiers patrol as they station at a overhead bridge ahead of a planned rally by supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, in Islamabad November 24, 2024. (AP)
“The government is compelled to take protective measures to safeguard the lives and properties of community members as it is the government’s responsibility to maintain law and order in Pakistan,” he said.
Iqbal apologized to the masses for causing them inconveniences due to the security measures.
“I also appeal to the public to understand that these measures are essential to protect everyone from the disruptive actions of the PTI,” he said.
PTI SUPPORTERS LEAVE FOR ISLAMABAD
Despite the government’s warnings, senior PTI leader Raoof Hasan vowed Khan’s supporters would reach Islamabad at any cost.
“Our protesters are trying to reach Islamabad but you can see that the whole Islamabad is under lockdown,” Hasan told Arab News.
Hasan criticized the government’s security measures, saying that authorities were scared of an imprisoned Khan. He said many leaders of the party had been arrested.
“Many PTI leaders have been arrested and so far we don’t have the number of arrests but we will share the numbers by the end of the day,” Hasan.
Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and former Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan shout slogans as they take part in a protest rally for the release of their leader Khan, in Peshawar on November 24, 2024. (AN Photo)
Meanwhile, the PTI shared video footage of its supporters from the northwestern areas of Peshawar, Buner, Bajaur, Karak and other parts of the province leaving for Islamabad. Supporters of the party are expected to reach Islamabad from Punjab and Karachi as well.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has also left for Islamabad from the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, the party said in a statement.
Islamabad Police Spokesperson Jawad Taqi said police will comply with the Islamabad High Court’s orders, which had prohibited any protests in the capital.
Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and former Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan leave for a Islamabad protest rally for the release of their leader Khan, in Peshawar on November 24, 2024. (AN Photo)
“Security personnel from the Frontier Constabulary, Rangers, Punjab, Sindh and Islamabad police are deployed in the federal capital,” Taqi told Arab News. “Today, over 12 people from different locations have been arrested.”
Islamabad Inspector General (IG) Police Ali Nasir Rizvi told reporters that the capital’s security would not be compromised during the ongoing PTI protests.
“Section 144 has been enforced in the city, banning protests, rallies, and sit-ins, and strict actions will be taken against anyone violating the law,” he said, referring to a law that prohibits public gatherings.
An aerial view shows a street blocked with shipping containers and freight trucks by order of the government to hinder a rally by members of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party demanding his release, in Swabi on November 24, 2024. (AFP)
A ban on public gatherings has been imposed in Punjab until Nov. 25, while the Metro Bus service between Islamabad and Rawalpindi will remain suspended on Sunday.
Pakistan’s parliament earlier this year passed legislation regulating public demonstrations in the capital, including designated protest areas and specific timings for rallies.
Violators risk imprisonment of up to three years for illegal gatherings and up to 10 years for repeat offenses.
