IHC shuts gates as PTI MPAs gather to protest in Islamabad

WEB DESK: Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Moin Riaz Qureshi on Tuesday said that all Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) members of the Punjab Assembly have arrived in Islamabad to participate in a peaceful protest. Speaking informally to reporters, he said the lawmakers would gather outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) shortly to register their protest.

Qureshi added that by 2pm, all PTI MPAs would move to Adiala Jail, where they plan to continue their peaceful demonstration. He said the protest outside the prison would continue until they are allowed to meet the PTI founder.

PTI leader Meena Khan also reached the IHC to join the protest. As crowds began to gather, the entrance gates of the high court were closed by authorities, restricting access to the premises.

Section 144

Earlier today, Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Talal Chaudhry said hat Pakistan would soon overcome terrorism, just as it did in 2013. In a security briefing, he defended the enforcement of Section 144 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi as essential for public safety and warned of strict action against violators. Chaudhry voiced concern over rising terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying militants target large gatherings and use VPNs to evade detection. Linking the recent Islamabad court blast to networks in Afghanistan, he reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism and stressed that official resources cannot be used for political activities under court orders.

On Monday night, the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration imposed Section 144 across the federal capital for two months, barring gatherings of more than four people. A notification issued by the district magistrate on November 18 said the measure was taken amid intelligence that certain groups planned to hold illegal assemblies in the city, though it did not specify their nature. The order bans all rallies, processions, protests and gatherings of five or more people within Islamabad’s revenue limits, including the Red Zone. Authorities said the restrictions were necessary to maintain public peace and order. The directive takes immediate effect and will remain in force until January 18, 2026.