PTI protest: Rawalpindi entry points blocked, key locations sealed, heavy police deployed

The Rawalpindi administration has completely sealed off the city by placing containers ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest at Liaquat Bagh.

No traffic can enter the city, causing difficulties for residents due to the blocked routes. Thousands of police officers have been deployed at various locations.

Additionally, the law enforcement agencies have a heavy presence in the city. Liaquat Bagh has been entirely sealed off, and Section 144 has been imposed throughout the city, prohibiting any gatherings, protests, or display of weapons. Meanwhile, the metro bus service has also been partially suspended.

Section 144 imposed

In response to the planned protests in Rawalpindi, the local police have abruptly cancelled leave for officers and personnel, recalling those on holiday to duty. Officers who fail to report back to their posts face termination.

To maintain law and order, authorities have imposed Section 144 across the division from September 28 to 29, prohibiting gatherings, political rallies and the display of weapons. PTI has called for protests on September 29 at various locations, including Liaquat Bagh.

Since last night, police have initiated a series of raids and door-to-door searches to apprehend PTI leaders and active supporters to keep them away from the protests.

Major intersections closed

All major intersections in the city have been closed. Meanwhile, Faizabad to Murree Chowk has been completely sealed off. All entry points on Murree Road, including Liaquat Bagh Chowk, Committee Chowk, and Asghar Mall Chowk, are also sealed.

Additionally, Chandni Chowk, Rahmanabad Chowk, Sadiqabad Chowk, and Shamsabad Double Road Chowk have been closed. At the same time, Liaquat Bagh has been locked down completely.

All small streets leading to Murree Road have been sealed off with barbed wire. Two government offices located at Liaquat Bagh have also been closed. All educational institutions on Liaquat Road, Iqbal Road, and Sixth Road are shut down.

Hotels on Liaquat and Iqbal Roads have been closed, and rooms have been vacated. Morning walks at Liaquat Bagh have been prohibited. Additionally, the entry of ambulances to Murree Road and allied hospitals has been restricted, and police and prisoner vans have been deployed at all intersections.

Additionally, entry of bicycles towards Liaquat Bagh has been completely prohibited. Breakfast shops and tandoors on Liaquat Road are also closed. Police officers equipped with heavy tear gas shells have been deployed. Police are stationed at metro bus stations, and the metro bus service has been completely suspended. The Bykea motorcycle service is also unavailable.

Areas near Faizabad closed

On the other hand, nearby areas of Faizabad have been closed to prevent a possible PTI rally. The closure of the metro bus service in Islamabad has caused significant difficulties for citizens. Work on the metro bus service track has also been halted, and a heavy police presence has been deployed near Faizabad.

Low attendance in government offices

Due to the closure of key areas and routes in the city, including Murree Road, Liaquat Bagh, and Rawal Road, attendance in government offices is lower than usual.

All entry points closed

Key entry points to Rawalpindi have been completely sealed off. Entry to the city is fully blocked from Tarnol GT Road, the motorway, and Rawat GT Road. Similarly, routes from Murree, Kotli Sattian, Kahuta, and Taxila to Rawalpindi are also completely closed.

Meanwhile, female police personnel have been deployed at various locations, including Liaquat Bagh Chowk, Committee Chowk, and Maira Chowk.

Rawalpindi: A City of Containers

Following the imposition of Section 144 and the efforts to prevent the PTI rally, the district administration has set up obstacles. Meanwhile, all petrol pumps on Murree Road have been closed, and all routes in Sadar Gawalmandi are also sealed off.

Containers have been placed at various points throughout the city, blocking all roads and intersections, making Rawalpindi look like a city of containers. Access for ambulances coming from outside the city to hospitals has also been completely shut off.

All Routes to Adiala Jail Closed

In Rawalpindi, Rahmanabad Chowk and the Shamsabad area have also been sealed off. All routes from the city to Adiala Jail are completely closed, and parking of all types in front of the jail has been prohibited.

Transportation to Adiala Jail village has also been halted. Citizens visiting for meetings with regular inmates at Adiala Jail are facing difficulties. The entire police force from Police Lines, Sihala Police Training College, and Rawat Constabulary has also been deployed on Murree Road.