PDM flouts Section 144 in Pindi

Parties of ruling coalition take out rallies to join PDM chief-led sit-in outside SC

RAWALPINDI:

Despite the imposition of Section 144 in the garrison city, leaders and workers of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a multi-party coalition that includes the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), left for the federal capital in the form of large rallies to join the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Molana Fazlur Rehaman-led sit-in before the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The protest outside the apex court was turned into a sit-in earlier on Monday as the ruling parties upped their ante against what they described as the judiciary’s preferential treatment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan.

Due to the rallies, commuters faced severe hardships in navigating the city roads.

According to sources, the first caravan of the PML-N leader Sardar Naseem Khan and divisional president Malik Abrar left from Shamsabad Allama Iqbal Park via Faizabad to Islamabad. Another large convoy of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif's close aide Nasir Butt from Dhok Rata reached Committee Chowk where PML-N leader Sajjad Khan's rally joined the convoy. Afterwards, all the participants left for Islamabad via Murree Road in the form of a large rally.

On the other hand, the rally of Sheikh Arsalan Hafeez and other leaders left for Islamabad from Siddiqui Chowk.

Another large convoy originated from the house of former Senator Chaudhry Tanveer Khan at Scheme 3. The convoy then headed by Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry left for the federal capital via Murree Road.

After joining the PML-N, Hamid Nawaz Raja, the cousin of former Law Minister Raja Basharat took out a rally from Dhamiyal to participate in the sit-in of the ruling parties.

Moreover, the main rally of JUI-F departed from Kamran Market Jamia Islamia under the leadership of JUI-F leader Dr Atiqur Rehman via Murree Road to Islamabad.

The main convoy of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) left for Islamabad via Murree Road from Liaquat Bagh.

Other rallies from the city and Cantt areas also entered Islamabad from Rawalpindi to participate in the sit-in in front of Apex Court.

Due to the heightened political activity, traffic pressure on the small and main arteries of Rawalpindi increased manifolds and created severe hardships for motorists and pedestrians alike. The City Traffic Police also issued a traffic advisory for the citizens in the wake of the rallies.

The traffic police spokesperson said that due to the departure of caravans from Rawalpindi, the traffic flow on Murree Road was disrupted.

The traffic police advised the citizens to use alternative routes, to avoid inconvenience.

The CTP had made strict security arrangements on this occasion, he said adding that heavy contingents of the police were deployed between Marrir Chowk and Shamsabad. The participants of the rallies carried placards bearing slogans against the Supreme Court's decision to release Imran Khan.

The Rawalpindi district administration said that the caravans going from Rawalpindi to Islamabad have entered Islamabad peacefully and no incident of vandalism or arson was reported. Metro bus service and public transport continued as normal along with business activities.

Similarly, the Islamabad police Monday said that political workers have entered Red Zone and the entire situation is peaceful. A police spokesperson urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with the police. He further stated that there have been threats of terror attacks and the public is urged to stay away from large gatherings.

Fearing threats of terror attacks, the Rawalpindi district administration has imposed Section 144 for 15 days, prohibiting pillion riding and public gatherings. Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema has issued a notification regarding the imposition of Section 144 in the district until May 21.

All political and religious gatherings would be prohibited in Rawalpindi, the official notice stated. The notification further read that the use of loudspeakers in mosques other than for the call to prayer.

As PDM rallies started reaching Islamabad, the local administration closed the D Chowk for all kinds of traffic, warning the government of security risks. Officials have said that important government buildings and foreign embassies are situated in the Red Zone and terrorists may infiltrate the rallies.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2023.