ISLAMABAD, November 23, 2024: In a bid to suppress the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s planned march on November 24, the government has taken strong security measures, including the closure of major motorways, highways, and roads, a ban on public gatherings, and the deployment of a heavy contingent of security personnel.
The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) announced the sealing of key motorways across the country, citing intelligence reports suggesting that PTI protesters could disrupt law and order in the capital. Highways such as the M-1 (Islamabad to Peshawar), M-2 (Islamabad to Lahore), and M-3 (Lahore to Abdul Hakeem) have been closed for safety reasons.
The NHMP also issued a warning that protesters may carry sticks and slingshots, emphasizing that strict action would be taken against anyone violating the law.
In preparation for the protest, local authorities have blocked access to Islamabad from surrounding areas, including Rawalpindi, by placing shipping containers on major roads leading to the capital.
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The Metro Bus service between Islamabad and Rawalpindi will be suspended on November 24, and a ban on public gatherings has been imposed across Punjab from November 23-25.
The PTI’s protest is primarily focused on demanding the release of its leader, Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned for over a year on charges the party considers politically motivated.
PTI is also protesting alleged election rigging in the February 2024 general elections and calling for reforms to ensure judicial independence, which they argue has been undermined by the recent constitutional amendments.
To maintain order, the government has authorized the deployment of paramilitary forces, including the Punjab Rangers and Frontier Corps, in Islamabad.
Additionally, Pakistan’s parliament has passed a law regulating public gatherings, which includes strict penalties for illegal assemblies—up to three years in prison for participants and ten years for repeat offenders.
Authorities have also taken measures in Punjab to prevent PTI protesters from reaching Islamabad, including the closure of bridges over the Chenab and Jhelum rivers and the imposition of Section 144, which bans all types of public gatherings.
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Heavy contingents of police, Frontier Corps, and Rangers have been deployed across the city, and security has been heightened, with random checks at various points in Islamabad.
In addition to the transportation and gathering restrictions, mobile services across the country may be suspended as a precautionary measure. Local authorities have also ordered the closure of bus stations and hostels in the capital.
The district administration has placed shipping containers at all entry points to the Red Zone, including Faizabad, Expressway, Kashmir Highway, and Murree Road, in an effort to limit movement and secure the city.
The PTI’s planned protest is seen as a significant challenge to the government, with both sides preparing for a showdown over political and legal issues that have been at the heart of Pakistan’s ongoing political crisis.