Islamabad and Rawalpindi went into lockdown on Friday, with roads sealed, communication lines cut, public movement paralyzed and all entry points sealed. Police expect clashes with Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) supporters on Multan Road after Friday prayers.
The religious political party has announced an anti-Israel demonstration in front of the US embassy in the federal capital today (Friday).
Hamas and Israel signed a ceasefire agreement on Thursday in which Israeli captives will be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in the first phase, in line with US Donald Trump’s 20-point initiative to end the war in Gaza. Islamabad has touted Trump’s plan as a “historic opportunity” for lasting peace in the Middle East.
Read: Mobile data services suspended as twin cities prepare for TLP rally
Home Minister Talal Chaudhry said the TLP did not obtain the necessary permits to hold the rally.
On Thursday, police raided the TLP headquarters to arrest the head of the religious political party, Saad Rizvi, and faced retaliation from party supporters. The TLP members pelted stones, sticks and rods at police personnel on Multan Road. The police responded with tear gas.
Gas masks, chemicals and other supplies were also confiscated from TLP workers, Chaudhry said at the news conference later that day. The party intended to use them during the demonstration, he added.
Section 144 is in force in all the twin cities, with a ban on public meetings, rallies, protests, demonstrations and assemblies, in addition to a ban on passenger travel and inflammatory speeches.
paralyzed city
At least 37 points in the city are blocked with containers, trailers and barriers. Public and private schools along Multan Road were ordered to close and universities in the twin cities remained closed. Ambulances had difficulty passing while Rawat, T-Chowk and the expressway were closed.
As many as 6,000 officers and personnel are deployed in Rawalpindi with Rawalpindi City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani in charge. Officers of SP rank and above are armed, the rest are equipped with tear gas guns, rubber bullets and 12-gauge shotguns, police said.
Police are deployed at Kalma Chowk, Rahimabad, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Sawan Pul and Adiala Road. Thirteen special police and sniper units are stationed along Murree Road from Shalimar Chowk to Faizabad.
Read more: Islamabad takes steps to thwart TLP protest
Metro Bus services are suspended while key roads and arteries along Murree Road in Faizabad, around Moti Mahal Chowk in Shamsabad, Dhoke Kala Khan, IJP Road, Pandora Chungi, Khanna Pul and Chak Madad are sealed, as are all other roads connecting to Islamabad.
The Red Zone and Extended Red Zone are barricaded and GT Road is blocked at Taxila Chowk, Brahma Interchange, Fateh Jang Toll Plaza, Chak Beli Morh, Gujar Khan, Mandra Toll Plaza and Chakwal Morh.
The complete closure of roads and intersections has paralyzed the city’s traffic system. The closure of Murree Road caused massive congestion on side streets, with motorcycles and rickshaws overflowing into narrow lanes, making it difficult for residents to get out.
Routine court services were disrupted due to low attendance at civil court hearings and police were unable to release inmates from Adiala Jail. At 9.30am, the district courts were empty and scribes’ reports described Kachehri as “desert”.
The prison vans were parked at Mareer Hassan, Liaquat Bagh, Chandni Chowk, Committee Chowk and Faizabad intersections, among others.
The Senate session scheduled for today was suspended indefinitely after the required quorum could not be reached. “Most lawmakers could not reach the Senate because roads are blocked due to the activity of a religious group in Islamabad,” said federal minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.
