Islamabad/Lahore: Political tensions in Pakistan have risen sharply as protest campaigns by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on the call of Imran Khan at D-Chowk, remain under strict government control. After PTI’s rallies were scheduled, the police remained high-handed by blocking all the major roads and placing containers over the cities, especially the Red Zone of Islamabad and key areas of Punjab. The obstruction in the lives of citizens and fears about freedom of assembly are raised due to government actions.
According to reports, containers have been put on roads going into the Islamabad Red Zone except for Margalla Road as entry is possible from that side. The Faizabad area, which lies along Express Highway, has also further worsened because the roads were blocked by the containers, hence causing long queues in traffic, which was much of a problem during peak office and school hours. The restrictions have caused immense problems for people in commuting since roads are being blocked due to containers.
The former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party says it will continue protesting. PTI leaders have promised to take rallies in all districts of Punjab despite roadblocks and constraints. In a bold statement issued just a day ago, Imran Khan renewed his call for nationwide protests and urged his supporters to join demonstrations in support of judicial independence.
He has also asked for protests in the cities of Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, and ending in a huge rally at D-Chowk in Islamabad on Friday. He once again reminded people how citizens should stand up to the judiciary and advocated for an independent judicial system. He threatened the government not to crush peaceful demonstrations through forceful measures.
Islamabad capital territory authorities have, with protests planned against the government in this respect, enforced Section 144 and the Peaceful Assembly Act with the effect of not holding public gatherings and processions in main areas. The police of the Islamabad capital territory have declared the Red Zone and the nearby area as a restricted zone where strict legal action has been established. A police spokesperson underlined the fact that such measures are indispensable to protect the life and property of the citizens. He added that those who will be involved in illegal activities will be brought before the law.
The top leadership of PTI has comparatively condemned the acts of the government. At the press conference at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad, PTI’s Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram laid the charge against the government for creating a curfew-like situation in the cities, including Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, and Mianwali. According to him, the government panicked by the rising influence of PTI and put bans on public meetings by the party.
He further stated that the sealing of the Red Zone in Islamabad and the same thing done in other cities is an overreaction to the protest plans by PTI. Akram reacted sharply at the Punjab government for imposing Section 144 in Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, and Mianwali districts, which banned political gatherings and rallies.
Despite all these handicaps, PTI workers, males, and females, were able to stage protests in cities and around them despite having to fight the tear gas shells and remaining there. The Punjab police met them with heavy contingents and stationed containers at entry and exit points to block the protestors. PTI’s Provincial Information Secretary, Shaukat Basra, condemned the authorities for reducing cities into what he called “containerization” and sought the resignation of Inspector General of Punjab Police, Dr. Usman Anwar.
The PTI also claimed that law enforcers arrested party workers in mass arrests. Over 500 party members have been detained while protesting. Meanwhile, Basra alleged that police raids against homes belonging to PTI supporters added fuel to the political standoff between the party and the government.
The situation remains delicate and can be tensed further with more protests expected in the coming days as both sides prepare for a showdown at D-Chowk Islamabad-creating a pressing sense of uncertainty in Pakistan’s political landscape and heightening the tension.
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