Islamabad admin blocks key entry points ahead of PTI protest

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad administration has decided to seal the city in anticipation of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest scheduled for Friday.

Authorities have placed additional containers at key entry points, including Margalla Road, 26 Number Chungi and the motorway in a bid to block the entry of PTI workers to the capital.

Commuters and travelers frequently face inconveniences, when traveling between the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, after containers are placed on major roads and entry and exit points.

The city’s red zone has also been cordoned off to prevent potential disruptions.

The protest was called by PTI in response to the arrest of party leaders and other grievances, as they plan nationwide demonstrations.

Section 144 has been imposed across Islamabad and Punjab, prohibiting public gatherings to maintain law and order and mitigate any potential security threats.

Also read: PTI protest: Section 144 imposed in Mianwali

The PTI has called for peaceful protests to demand the release of detained party members, including Imran Khan.

The government has turned Islamabad into a heavily controlled zone to ward off protests.

In a statement for his followers from prison, Imran Khan said: we will gather at D-Chowk [in Islamabad] on October 4.

The protest comes as part of PTI’s ongoing campaign for the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law.

Imran Khan in a statement said that PTI’s protests would remain peaceful, stating, “We have always protested peacefully, but this system has failed to protect us.”