PTI’s Azadi March: All roads from Punjab to Islamabad closed, clashes between Police and PTI workers
After Imran Khan has announced to March towards Islamabad against alleged ‘Imported Government’, all highways, roads around D-Chowk were closed with containers from all sides.
All roads leading to D-Chowk have also been sealed off, while containers and trucks have been parked on the roads in various cities to stop the PTI’s long march.
Roads from Lahore and Peshawar to Islamabad have been closed with barricades and a large number of police personnel have been deployed.
Faizabad Interchange Rawalpindi has also been sealed while routes from Rawalpindi to Islamabad are also likely to be closed.
Clashes between police and PTI workers in Lahore
When the PTI members started removing the barricades at Batti Chowk area of GT Road, a clash broke out between the PTI workers and the police.
At Lahore’s Batti Chowk, the police resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse PTI workers when they removed barriers placed to block the routes.
PTI workers wanted to remove obstacles and go to Ravi Bridge which has been closed by the administration with containers. However, the police stopped the workers about 100 meters before Ravi Bridge.
Police smashes Yasmin Rashid’s car
The police encircled the car of former health minister Yasmin Rashid in an attempt to stop her from moving forward.
According to the video circulating on social media, a PTI supporter came forward and verbally abused the police officials. Meanwhile, Yasmeen tried stopping the police from taking away her car keys.
When Dr. Yasmin Rashid tried to push the vehicle forward, the policemen charged a heavy stick at his vehicle, which also broke the windscreen of his vehicle.
Strict security arrangements in Islamabad
The government has called police, Rangers and FC for the protection of Islamabad’s Red Zone. Section 144 has been imposed to which gatherings of more than five people have been banned in Punjab, Sindh and the federal capital Islamabad.
The Punjab government has arrested local leaders of various cities and dozens of activists, including PTI leaders Mahmood Rasheed and Senator Ijaz Chaudhry, under the MPO, while raids are being carried out on their homes to arrest other leaders.
Metro bus service in Rawalpindi and Islamabad has been suspended while today’s exams in the twin cities [Islamabad, Rawalpindi] have also been postponed.
All bus stands in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have been sealed and transporters have been directed not to bring vehicles on the roads.
In view of the political situation in the country, the Punjab Petroleum Association today announced to stop the supply of oil while it has been decided to keep the mobile phone service closed in more than 350 places of Punjab including Lahore.
On the other hand, after the announcement of PTI protest in Karachi, the road leading to and from People’s Chowrangi to Parking Plaza on Corridor 3 has been closed while the roads leading to Expo Centre have also been closed.
