Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has cancelled its planned protest in Rawalpindi after the city’s district administration launched a major crackdown, blocking key roads and entry points with containers. The protest, scheduled at Liaquat Bagh, was part of PTI’s broader political movement, but it was halted following heightened security measures aimed at preventing supporters from reaching the venue.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who had led a convoy towards Rawalpindi, returned to Peshawar as tensions escalated, with authorities imposing a de facto lockdown in the twin cities.
Security Tightened Across Rawalpindi
The Punjab government enforced Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) across Rawalpindi Division, which banned political gatherings, sit-ins, protests, and rallies for two days. This restriction covered the districts of Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, and Chakwal, and was aimed at curbing PTI’s demonstration plans.
In response, thousands of police officers were deployed throughout Rawalpindi. City Police Officer Khalid Hamdani cancelled all police leaves, ensuring maximum personnel were on duty. Additionally, four companies of Rangers were deployed in Rawalpindi and two in Attock to reinforce local law enforcement.
Violent Clashes on Murree Road
Despite the strict measures, PTI supporters gathered in large numbers at various locations in Rawalpindi, particularly along Murree Road, which soon turned into a flashpoint for clashes. Protesters attempted to remove the containers placed by authorities, resulting in violent confrontations with the police.
Chanting anti-government slogans, PTI workers removed barricades and tried to march toward Liaquat Bagh. The police responded with tear gas, dispersing the crowds and causing chaos in nearby residential areas. Tear gas shells landed in homes, sparking panic among residents. Protesters retaliated by hurling stones at the police, leading to further skirmishes along Murree Road.
Rawalpindi and Islamabad in Gridlock
The protest caused major disruptions in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Key roads, including Murree Road and the Islamabad Expressway, were completely sealed off. This resulted in massive traffic jams, with commuters facing hours of delays. The Metro Bus service was suspended, and internet services in the area were slowed down.
In Rawalpindi, containers were placed at over 25 strategic points, including Faizabad Interchange, Shamsabad, Double Road, and Khanna Bridge. Similarly, in Islamabad, key junctions such as T Chowk, Korral, Khanna, and Golra Mor were closed to prevent PTI supporters from moving toward the protest site.
PTI Leadership Arrested
During the crackdown, police arrested several PTI leaders, including PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, as they attempted to reach Rawalpindi. Both leaders were briefly detained before being released later in the day.
Other local leaders, such as PTI’s Seemabia Tahir and MPA Tanveer Aslam, were also arrested for violating the Section 144 ban. A video circulating on social media showed Tanveer Aslam speaking out against the authorities during his arrest, accusing them of using excessive force.
PTI’s planned protest was cut short by the heavy-handed measures taken by the Rawalpindi administration, with roads blocked, leaders arrested, and clashes erupting between police and protesters. While the party has called off the protest, PTI’s leadership remains defiant, signaling that their political movement will continue in the face of such challenges.
The city-wide security lockdown and violent clashes disrupted daily life in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, leaving the twin cities in a state of unrest and uncertainty.
