- With the deployment of 30,000 more police officers, including FC and Rangers, significant security forces were mobilized.
- With the closing of all main entry and departure points, as well as inter- and intra-city routes, the capital city essentially became a fortress.
- According to Barrister Gohar, a “final call” signified a final decision, and only Imran could reconsider it.
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday refused to change its November 24 protest plan, claiming that a “final call” meant that the authorities had imposed severe transportation and security restrictions on major cities, effectively transforming the twin cities into security strongholds.
Earlier, during an official visit from a high-ranking Belarusian team, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar to inform him that the government would not allow any sit-in or protest in Islamabad due to security concerns.
As Pakistan gets ready for an 80-member Belarusian delegation headed by President Alexander Lukashenko to arrive in Islamabad from November 24 to 27, Naqvi calls on Barrister Gohar.
The interior minister pointed out that the government must abide by the rules set forth by the Islamabad High Court, which limit potentially dangerous public gatherings while traveling abroad.
A comprehensive itinerary of the Belarusian delegation’s visit was given to Gohar by Naqvi, who also clarified that no demonstrations or gatherings would be permitted due to security precautions.
In response, Gohar stated that he will confer with party leaders before deciding on a course of action.
“The final call is the final call; only Khan has the ability to review it.”
A “final call” meant a definitive call, according to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who also stated that only Imran could review the decision.
There is no such thing as Khan sahib. He is in charge. He doesn’t advise. “We obey his orders,” he declared in an interview with a private television network.
He stated that it was his choice to review it because Imran had issued the call for the protest and provided the directions.
According to Gohar, the PTI’s political committee followed Imran’s directions when discussing everything and had no choice but to follow through on the PTI founder’s orders without offering an alternative.
In reference to his previous discussions with Naqvi and the media’s portrayal of the event, Gohar stated that they only spoke once and that there was no agreement on when the PTI chairman would notify the interior minister of his ultimate response.
Gohar claimed the PTI was not heard in the case and that it was still a pending matter, not the court’s final judgment, in reference to the potential repercussions of breaking the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) Thursday order, which had declared the scheduled protest to be illegal.
After Naqvi called him about the issue earlier today, he stated that “party consultation” would determine if the PTI would proceed with its scheduled demonstration tomorrow.
The party will “break through any barriers to reach their destination at D-Chowk, and that they will not return without achieving their objective,” according to a statement made earlier in the day by PTI Secretary of Information Sheikh Waqas Akram.
“We will not give up under any circumstances, and the Constitution grants us the right to peaceful protest,” Akram said. The whole country will be on the streets on November 24, according to Express News.
Notwithstanding any challenges, the PTI leadership has reaffirmed its intention to march towards Islamabad tomorrow and to hold a sit-in at D-Chowk in the city.
Senior PTI leaders, including former President Arif Alvi, Shibli Faraz, Secretary of Information Sheikh Waqas Akram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, and others, decided to move forward with the protest during a meeting at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, which was chaired by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar.
Heavy machinery has been reserved as part of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) finalized strategy for the demonstration on November 24.
Heavy gear is plenty this time around, according to Arbab Asim, president of the PTI Peshawar region. “The Youth Wing will be in charge of security, and we will use private equipment to remove obstacles.”
Islamabad, the nation’s capital, has implemented security measures, sealing off all main entry and departure points.
However, all main entry and departure points were sealed, and all highways leading into the capital city—especially those from Rawalpindi and other nearby regions—were closed while security measures were implemented in the capital city of Islamabad.
In order to restrict access to important areas of the city, like as the Parliament House and the central commercial districts, container blockades have been erected along major thoroughfares like Iran Avenue and Margalla Road.
As police prepared for the PTI protests, they also shuttered Zero Point and the Expressway, a key artery that connects Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The local government ordered the metro bus service to be suspended for the whole day in order to keep all public transportation from participating in the protest. All lines from the Secretariat to IJP Road will be closed, as will the Metro Bus service, which normally runs between several locations in the twin towns of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
In addition, all interstate transportation services, including those to Rawalpindi, were halted, and bus terminals in Islamabad were closed. People who depend on public transportation to go to and from the capital city have been negatively impacted by this.
Similar security measures have been put in place in Lahore, where the local government has closed important highways that lead beyond the city, such as those that connect it to Islamabad and other places. In particular, the highways leading from Lahore to Multan and Islamabad have been closed. This comprises the M-11, which connects Lahore and Sialkot, as well as portions of the M-3 and M-4 highways.
The Babu Sabu Interchange, one of the main choke points, was also blocked off with barricades and containers, and a large police presence was present to keep things under control. In order to avoid any mass gatherings or efforts to march into the city as part of the planned protest, this action was taken.
Traveling within the city and to distant locations became even more difficult when all bus stations along the blocked highways were closed.
Congestion in the city center was made worse by the closure of the Lahore Ring Road, another important thoroughfare that connects different areas of the city. Roads remained congested for hours, leaving businesses and commuters scrambling. Authorities advised people to avoid going unless it was absolutely necessary.
In Islamabad, 30,000 police officers, including FC, are stationed.
The government has mobilized substantial security forces in reaction to the possible magnitude of the PTI protests, and 30,000 more police officers have been sent from other provinces, including 19,000 from Punjab, 5,000 from Sindh, and 1,000 from Azad Kashmir. The purpose of these reinforcements is to help the local police maintain law and order and manage crowds.
About 5,000 members of the Frontier Corps (FC) and Rangers have also been sent to Islamabad in addition to the police. It is anticipated that these paramilitary troops will be essential in controlling any violent outbreaks or public unrest.Under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the federal government has given these forces the authority to take direct action to maintain peace and stability in the capital.
The federal government has sent out a notification on the deployment of Rangers and Frontier Corps (FC) members in the capital due to the escalating tensions. In order to keep the peace and stop any possible violence, these forces will support the local police. The decision came about as a result of the Islamabad Commissioner formally requesting increased security measures from the Ministry of Interior.
Rangers and FC’s presence was a blatant indication that the government is not taking any chances with the PTI rally, particularly in light of past protests that turned violent. It is anticipated that the deployment of paramilitary personnel will contribute to the prevention of any disruption in law and order, guaranteeing the security of both demonstrators and regular civilians.
The people has been greatly inconvenienced by the stringent security measures. Particularly impacted by the shutdowns are commuters who depend on public transit, such as buses and the metro service. A lot of stores and companies have either closed early or remained closed all day as a result of the blockade of important routes in Lahore and Islamabad.
Due to the closure of major roadways, travelers from neighboring cities, including as Rawalpindi and Multan, have reported becoming trapped. The already difficult situation has been made worse by the substantial traffic accumulation on the few available routes as a result of this.
The PTI sit-in and protest will go on till Imran Khan is released: The Gandapur
According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the PTI has fully prepared for a demonstration and sit-in at D Chowk in Islamabad.
According to KP Chief Minister Faraz Mughal’s spokesperson, PTI convoys traveling across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are scheduled to arrive at D Chowk on Sunday.
According to Gandapur, there will be no set time for the protest or sit-in, and PTI members would keep protesting till Imran Khan is freed.
“Whatever barriers the federal government erects, the public will cross at all costs and reach Islamabad,” the chief minister’s spokesperson declared.
“Heavy machinery is being taken with each rally this time to remove the obstructions,” he stated.
A CM spokesman explained, “We will not use government missionaries; over 50 private excavators and heavy missionaries are being taken along.”
Additionally, the KP Chief Minister asserted that state-of-the-art equipment had been acquired to combat police shelling. “Plans have been made to divert air during tear gas shelling,” he said.
According to a CM spokesperson, ambulance services have been acquired in addition to the caravans.
According to Gandapur, the PTI protest is and will continue to be nonviolent. According to him, the federal government was planning to open fire on PTI workers directly from the front, just like in the previous demonstration.
According to the chief minister of KP, PTI members are dedicated and have promised that even if they are shot in the chest, they will not surrender.
PTI Chairman and Interior Minister Talk About the Current Situation
In response to the ruling of the Islamabad High Court, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reached out to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.
They discussed the current state of affairs in great detail. Barrister Gohar was apprised on the post-Islamabad High Court order situation by Mohsin Naqvi.
“We cannot allow any procession, sit-in, or rally because we are bound by the high court’s order,” he stated.
Barrister Gohar was also told by the interior minister on the activities of the 80-member high-level delegation headed by the president of Belarus from November 24 to 27. He stated that the group will stay in Islamabad until Wednesday and that the president of Belarus will arrive in Pakistan on Monday.
Barrister Gohar stated that following party consultation, he would notify the Interior Minister of the final response.
On November 25, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is scheduled to travel to Pakistan in order to further bilateral relations and look into new areas of collaboration in a variety of fields. The Pakistan-Belarus Trade Roadmap would be inked during the visit, according to the source.
President Lukashenko is expected to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and military officials while in Pakistan.
The two parties will also discuss strengthening economic connections, expanding cooperation in advanced farming methods and equipment, and advancing bilateral commercial, security, and defense partnerships.
Pakistan has indicated a strong desire to collaborate in the tractor manufacturing industry, pointing to Belarus’s proficiency in agricultural equipment.
The two nations are anticipated to sign a number of agreements that will promote cooperation in various fields and open the door for deeper strategic and commercial relations, the source stated.
Internet and cellphone service closures
On Saturday, an Interior Ministry official stated that the government will only think about cutting internet and mobile service in places where there is an immediate risk to public safety.
According to the spokesperson, internet and mobile service in the remaining parts of the nation would not be impacted.
As imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepares to march on Islamabad on November 24, a report previously stated that the federal government has decided to shut down the nation’s internet and cell communications.
