PTI calls off protest as Red Zone sealed
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf called off its protests planned for Friday while authorities began arresting PTI workers.
“We approached the deputy commissioner of Islamabad on July 23 regarding our protest in Islamabad, but there was no decision taken. On July 24, we appealed to the [Islamabad] high court following which the honourable judge suggested [the local administration] allow our protest on Monday,” PTI Islamabad President Amir Masood Mughal said.
In a video message, he said: “In view of the [court’s decision], we are postponing today’s protest.”
The PTI has sought permission for its protest from the Islamabad High Court, which urged the capital administration to allow it on July 29.
The PTI alleged that the Punjab police raided the home of PTI leader Raja Basharat in Rawalpindi and arrested over a dozen individuals, including MNA Javed Iqbal in Rahim Yar Khan.
The party claimed that police also raided the home and camp of PTI leader Mehr Naeemullah in Lahore, arresting five of his friends. Naeemullah managed to escape.
Police arrested at least two workers from Express chowk, a short distance from D-Chowk after Friday prayers, according to reports.
In anticipation of the protests, authorities had placed containers at Faizabad, the junction between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, effectively sealing off access to the Red Zone and D-Chowk.
Ahead of the JI’s planned sit-in, Punjab police conducted raids in various areas, arresting several leaders and activists. JI leader Ahmad Salman Baloch claimed that police raided the home of Liaquat Baloch, the party’s deputy emir, and arrested two individuals. Baloch was not present at the time of the raid.
Baloch further stated that a JI rally in PP 169 was also stopped by police. He alleged that the government is panicking and targeting JI leaders’ homes in response to the planned sit-in.
Islamabad police have sealed off the Red Zone with containers. Police also raided the home of JI’s central secretary general, Amirul Azim, but failed to arrest him. But his driver, Shokat Mehmood, was arrested and taken into custody.
Containers were placed on the Expressway Zero Point bridge while the capital police were also deployed in the nearby areas.
The Islamabad Traffic Police also issued a plan detailing alternative routes for the public in case certain main arteries were blocked.
Due to the planned protests, the Metrobus service has been suspended between IJP and Pak Secretariat. The service is operational between Rawalpindi Faizabad and the President Station.