ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s federal capital Islamabad is under stern security with containers and barricades blocking majority of roads as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is having Jalsa in the outskirts of city for the release of an incarcerated party leader.
On Saturday night, senior PTI leaders, including Chairman Gohar Ayub and Opposition Leader Umer Ayub reviewed rally site and expressed satisfaction with the preparations as a large central stage has been set up using containers.
Major routes from Sangjani to Islamabad have been blocked with barricades and containers. The closure of Khonda Bridge on the Express Highway has caused major traffic disruptions, with long lines of vehicles forming and travelers facing delays in reaching their destinations.
Other routes leading to capital have been blocked with containers. Sangjani Bridge and Margalla Road have been shut down, while GT Road has been closed in both directions at Sangjani. Khanna Bridge on the Expressway, and Faizabad have been completely blocked, with no access via Murree Road.
Meanwhile, containers have been moved to Attock Khurd police checkpoint, on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab border, further restricting access to the capital.
As party caravans are moving from Sindh, Punjab and KP, the Gandapur led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government faced accusations of using state resources to support PTI rally. Several rescue officials, including fire trucks and ambulances, have been sent to Swabi.
Some PTI leaders from Sindh were halted near Qazi Ahmed Road, with the road blocked for hours. Authorities claimed that PTI workers were responsible for the obstruction.
