PTI protest: Roadblocks placed in Rawalpindi ahead of demonstrations

Multiple roads in Rawalpindi have been blocked following Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) call for nationwide protests after Friday prayers.

Key roads, including Peshawar Road near the Cheering Cross and NAL Road near the Military Hospital (MH), were barricaded on both sides, leaving only one lane open for traffic, Express News reported.

Police have set up zig-zag pickets at entry points into Rawalpindi, with additional personnel deployed. Roads leading to Murree Road's Marrir Chowk and Liaquat Bagh have also been sealed off, while Swann Bridge allows single-lane traffic for commuters.

Despite these blockades, other roads in Rawalpindi remain open as usual.

In the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the metro bus service remains suspended for a fifth consecutive day. The bus operations were initially halted from October 14-16 due to security measures surrounding the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

Despite the summit ending, the service did not resume on October 17, and remains suspended today.

Yesterday, Punjab government enforced Section 144 across the province, prohibiting all forms of protests, rallies, and public gatherings for two days- Friday, October 18, to Saturday, October 19.

"In view of the prevailing law and order situation and threat perceptions, any kind of protest or procession could become a soft target for terrorists," the Home Department said in a notification issued on Thursday.

The move came a day after the PTI announced a nationwide protest at the district level, urging supporters to gather on October 18 to demonstrate against constitutional amendments and the imprisonment of the party's founding chairman, Imran Khan.

The political committee of PTI, which met on Wednesday, called for peaceful protests across district headquarters after Friday prayers.

In a statement, the party condemned the "mistreatment" of Khan, who remains imprisoned in Adiala Jail, and demanded the restoration of his fundamental rights, including access to his family, lawyers, and party leaders.