Islamabad – In a bid to thwart the planned protest rally by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) at D-Chowk, authorities have sealed off the area using over 100 shipping containers as part of enhanced security measures.
A three-tier security cordon has been established around the protest site by the federal police, aimed at preventing demonstrators from entering the Red Zone. In response to the PTI’s call for a large-scale protest, the Islamabad police have blocked all access points to D-Chowk. Law enforcement has begun arresting individuals who attempted to reach the area early on Friday, with at least two civilians and one PTI worker taken into custody.
Rawalpindi Roads Closed
In nearby Rawalpindi, security measures mirror those in Islamabad, with all major routes—including Murree Road and Peshawar Road—closed off using containers and barricades. Key junctions like Charing Cross, MH Chowk, Hyder Road, and Fleishman Chowk are entirely blocked, leading to significant traffic disruptions. However, roads leading to Kutchehry Chowk, Sawal Bridge, and the airport remain accessible, according to local traffic authorities.
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Mass Arrests in Islamabad
As part of the crackdown on PTI protesters, more than 400 individuals have been detained across Islamabad, including 60 people believed to be of Afghan origin. Security forces apprehended these individuals in areas such as Bara Kahu, Tarnol, and Sangjani. Reports indicate that police seized sticks, slingshots, pebbles, and stones from those detained.
Section 144 Imposed
Section 144 has been implemented across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, banning public gatherings and protests. This includes a prohibition on pillion riding of motorcycles, although exemptions have been made for journalists, women, children, and the elderly.
Rangers Deployed in the Red Zone
To further bolster security in the Red Zone, the government has deployed Rangers alongside local police. Heavy contingents of law enforcement personnel are stationed at all major entrances to the city, with containers obstructing key roads to prevent any influx of protesters.
As the government’s measures to prevent PTI’s march to D-Chowk intensify, security forces appear prepared for a potential confrontation. Metro bus services between Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been suspended, educational institutions are closed, and a work-from-home advisory for private offices remains in effect, with commercial centers expected to stay shut during the protest.
The government has signaled its intent to respond firmly to protesters, establishing special police teams to carry out arrests and enforce the ban on public gatherings.
