Faizabad interchange closed ahead of PTI, JI anticipated protest

In response to the upcoming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) protests, authorities have closed the Faizabad interchange connecting Rawalpindi to Islamabad by placing heavy barriers.

The opposition parties' protest targets the hike in power tariffs, inflated electricity bills, and the release of PTI leader Imran Khan.

On Sunday, PTI leader Asad Qaiser had said that people across the country would protest today for the release of all political prisoners, including party founder Imran Khan, to reclaim the mandate.

Read: Section 144 enforced in Punjab, Islamabad to curb PTI protests

Asad further said there would be three demands: the immediate release of incarcerated PTI leaders and supporters, peace in the country and to register a protest against growing inflation.

Today, containers have been set up on both sides of the Faizabad bridge, blocking all routes to and from Islamabad. A significant police presence has been deployed on the Rawalpindi side to maintain order, while Punjab has also enforced Section 144 for three days ahead of the protests.

Containers are also stationed along GT Road and at strategic points for potential road closures.

These barriers are prepared to seal off key routes if necessary. GT Road might face closures near Bhai Khan Bridge and Mandra Toll Plaza, with Rawat T-Chowk identified as another potential sealing point by Islamabad police.

Islamabad police have placed containers on the link road from Lahore and Peshawar to the motorway, causing long queues and significant delays as only a single lane is allowed for vehicles to pass into Islamabad.

The blockade has resulted in severe traffic jams, causing major disruptions for commuters traveling from Islamabad Airport to Islamabad and Rawalpindi.