Normalcy returns to the capital: roads, shops reopen

ISLAMABAD: Wednesday morning brings back normalcy for the federal capital after days of roads blockades and markets being shut down. Motorways to and from Islamabad were also opened for traffic, along with the roads inside the city.

The small tuck shops and general stores that were shut down due to security issues were also reopened on Wednesday morning. However, the educational institutions will remain closed today, as per the notification issued on Tuesday (yesterday).

Internet services were also restored early in the day, after the news reports emerged that the protestors had left the city and the security threats have been neutralised.

CLEARING OPERATION

Later in the night, the government and law enforcement agencies carried out a clearing operation to contain the opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) protest. By dawn, PTI had announced an end to the protest and the city’s roads had started to clear as well.

The senior leadership of PTI fled the scene of the protest and escaped arrest, while hundreds of PTI activists were arrested across different cities.

Over 400 protestors were arrested during grand operation from Rawalpindi, the city’s police spokesperson said.

A large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and wireless communication equipment was recovered from the protestors, Rawalpindi Police spokesperson said.

Around 800 people have been arrested across Punjab, Police spokesperson said.

Also read: PTI protesters leave ground after ‘operation’ to clear capital begins