Traffic jam closes some roads in Peshawar, but businesses remain open in many districts
PESHAWAR:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday observed a lockdown and wheel jam strike across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, including the capital Peshawar, to protest alleged fraud in the general elections on February 8, 2024. The strike produced a mix of large-scale mobilization in some urban centers and limited disruption in others, with business activity continuing in many areas.
In the provincial capital, PTI workers staged protests and imposed strikes on several major roads and highways. Public transport services were suspended in some parts of the city, although the government-run bus rapid transit (BRT) service continued to operate. Taxi services were also reported to be operational in several areas.
Despite the strike call, commercial activity continued in several areas of Peshawar. Shops remained open in some markets, while food establishments and basic product stores operated in certain locations.
The food street at Fawara Chowk in Peshawar Cantonment was reported to be fully active and most of the shops along University Road also remained open.
PTI Deputy Information Secretary Ikram Khatana said the party was observing a complete strike in all districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and organizing protest rallies at the district level.
In Peshawar, a foot march was scheduled from Hashtnagri to Chowk Yadgar, with the participation of district leaders, party workers and members of the merchant community. The march would be led by PTI KP president Junaid Akbar, who, along with other senior leaders, was expected to address the workers upon reaching Chowk Yadgar.
Similar protest rallies were planned across the province, which would be led by PTI MNAs and AMPs in their respective constituencies.
The effect of the strike was uneven outside the capital. In Swabi, all markets, malls and malls remained open despite the lockdown order, and traffic flowed normally across the district. Lower Dir also reported that business centers are operating normally and public transportation services are operating as planned.
In Charsadda, shops and markets across the district remained open with no notable traffic disruption; The PTI announced a protest rally at Farooq-e-Azam Chowk at 3 pm. Charsadda authorities confirmed a police deployment of approximately 4,200 personnel to maintain law and order.
The provincial action took place in a broader national context in which the PTI and allied opposition parties reaffirmed their determination to press ahead with protests and strikes across the country, describing February 8 as a “Black Day” and a “Day of Mourning.”
The administration took steps to tighten security, imposing Section 144 in parts of Islamabad and launching measures aimed at curbing the mobilization. At the same time, several opposition figures condemned a recent deadly explosion in Islamabad and urged peaceful protests and restraint.
As tensions rise in KP, the administration in neighboring Punjab has taken steps to block any possible spillover of the protests. Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code across the district for 15 days starting from February 7 to February 21, 2026.
An official notification issued by the Office of Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi on February 7, 2026, imposing Section 144 across the district for 15 days to prohibit all demonstrations, protests and gatherings of five or more people.
The order cites intelligence reports from the District Intelligence Committee (DIC) about an “imminent threat” and the mobilization of certain groups with the intention of disturbing public order near sensitive installations and prominent roads. According to the ban, all types of gatherings, gatherings, rallies and demonstrations involving five or more people are strictly prohibited.
The Rawalpindi administration has also banned the carrying of weapons, the use of loudspeakers, the use of passengers and any attempt to remove police restrictions on movement.
Read: PTI and opp bloc stand firm as govt moves to deter strike
Opposition leaders, in a joint press conference yesterday, criticized the government’s handling of security and called for accountability; They also called on the public to observe the day calmly and stay indoors as much as possible. Senior opposition figures, including representatives of the PTI and TTAP, framed the protests as a response to what they described as failures in governance and security.
Law enforcement agencies remained on alert in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, with contingency plans in place to manage protests and protect public safety. There were no immediate reports of major, coordinated violence in the province during the day, and local officials described the overall situation as largely under control as they monitor developments.
PTI leaders said demonstrations would continue in the coming days and that district and provincial leaders would monitor future protest activities. Local merchant associations and civic groups offered mixed responses to the strike call, with some expressing support for the party’s accountability demands and others urging a resumption of normal business activity.
– With additional contributions from Saleh Mughal in Rawalpindi
