What’s closing ahead of PTI protest in Islamabad and Rawalpindi?

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: Authorities in the twin cities have devised a comprehensive strategy to maintain law and order during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest in Islamabad on November 24.

As Section 144 has been enforced in the capital, the Islamabad district administration and police have started placing containers on key entry and exit points followed by the deployment of police, FC and Rangers personnel will be carried out from Saturday evening.

Sources said that more than 70 key locations, including entry and exit points, major intersections, and connecting routes between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, will be sealed with containers and barriers from Friday night.

The Islamabad Transport Authority has ordered the closure of all city bus terminals from Friday evening, causing significant inconvenience to travellers and transporters alike.

Sources said that the Islamabad district administration has also ordered the closure of private hostels, leaving many students in distress. Most affected students said that they have no relatives to stay with, in the twin cities.

According to sources, the metro bus service between IJP Road and the Pak Secretariat will remain suspended on November 23. However, the metro bus service will operate between Saddar Station and Faizabad on November 23.

On November 24, the metro bus service between the twin cities will be completely suspended. Officials confirmed that the decision to halt the metro bus service was taken on the directives of the district administrations as a precautionary measure ahead of the PTI protest.

Special arrangements have been made along the metro bus route from Rawalpindi Saddar Station to Faizabad, sources said.

The National Highway and Motorway Police have announced the closure of various motorway sections from 8pm on November 22. These include: Peshawar to Islamabad; Lahore to Islamabad; Lahore to Abdul Hakeem; Pindi Bhattian to Multan; Sialkot to Lahore and Dera Ismail Khan to Hakla. Additionally, the Lahore Ring Road will remain closed to traffic from 8 am to 6 pm on November 23 and 24.

Also read: Various sections of motorway shut ahead of PTI public rally

Sources said that motorway M-1, connecting Islamabad to Peshawar, has also been closed, while entry onto motorway M-2 from Islamabad to Lahore has been blocked. Travellers on M-1 and M-2 were being allowed to exit the motorways. Heavy contingents of police have been deployed at key locations to enforce these closures and maintain security, sources said.

The local administration has enforced Section 144 across Rawalpindi Division, which includes Rawalpindi, Attock, and Jhelum districts. Rangers have also been deployed to assist the police in maintaining order in these areas.

Along Murree Road, 13 specialised police teams will be stationed between Shalimar Chowk and Faizabad. Rooftop surveillance teams have also been assigned to monitor the area.

The local administration has started closing all bus terminals in Faizabad and other areas of Rawalpindi by erecting temporary barriers.

In Rawalpindi, over 4,800 police personnel will be deployed to manage security. All security personnel have been instructed to report to their designated duty points by 8 a.m. on November 24. During duty hours, police officers will not be allowed to carry weapons or mobile phones.

Police teams equipped with tear gas launchers will be stationed at every metro bus station. Each team will carry six tear gas launchers, 500 tear gas shells, two 12-bore rubber bullet rifles with 100 rubber bullets, and six tear gas grenades.

Sources further said that line officers would be responsible for promptly delivering additional tear gas shells or rubber bullets wherever needed. Authorities said that these measures aim to ensure public safety during the PTI protest.

Sources also said that Internt and mobile phone service will face serious disruptions in the twin cities on November 23 and November 24.