ISLAMABAD – Authorities have closed all exit and entry points of the federal capital by placing containers as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced a protest rally at D-Chowk today (Friday).
Entry and exit on Motorway M-1 from Islamabad have also been shut down. The entry points to the Red Zone in Islamabad have also been blocked with containers, and routes including Faizabad, Sector I-8, IJ Principal Road, and Margalla Road have also been closed.
Murree Road, as well as the Islamabad Expressway, Sangjani, Sector G-11 Chowk, Golra Mor, and 26 Number Chowki are all closed.
The administration has heightened security in Rawalpindi, deploying 4,000 personnel and officer.
Metro Services Partially Suspended
The Metro bus administration, the service will not operate from Rawalpindi Saddar to IJ Principal Road, while the service from IJ Principal Road to the Pakistan Secretariat will remain operational. It means residents of Rawalpindi will not able to use the metro bus service today.
Schools Closed
The president of the All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association for Northern Punjab, Abrar Ahmed, stated that all private educational institutions in Rawalpindi City will remain closed today due to the potential protest by a political party in Islamabad.
The Islamabad Private Schools Association has also decided to close schools in the federal capital. General Secretary of the Private Schools Association, Waheed Khan, emphasized that the safety of children is our top priority.
Naqvi Warns of No Leniency
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned that no leniency will be shown if PTI attempts to enter Islamabad for protest. He advised them to reconsider their protest call as Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is currently in Islamabad on an official visit.
He added that the Shanghai Cooperation Conference is also being held in Islamabad.
He said according due protocol and providing foolproof security to foreign guests is the prime responsibility of the state of Pakistan and no compromise will be made in this regard.
