Mobile data services suspended as twin cities brace for TLP rally

Internet mobile services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi remained blocked, after the interior ministry notified the suspension of 3G and 4G services from midnight on October 9 till 10pm as Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) geared for its anti-Israel demonstration on Friday.

Yesterday (Thursday), after police and TLP workers clashed on Multan Road, Interior Minister of State Talal Chaudhry said the TLP had not sought permission to hold its "Ya Aqsa Million March" outside the United States Embassy in the federal capital.

The government always allows peaceful demonstrations and marches, he claimed, referring to speeches by TLP leaders as inflammatory and abusive in nature, during a press conference in Islamabad.

“The people of Palestine do not want sloganeering; they want peace. They want their homeland. Such so-called protests, speeches are not needed,” said the state minister.

Hamas and Israel signed a ceasefire agreement on Thursday with Israeli captives to be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in first phase in line with United States Donald Trump's 20-boint initiative to end the war in Gaza. Islamabad has touted Trump's plan as an "historic opportunity" for lasting peace in the Middle East.

Earlier that day, the Jamaat-i-Islami held a student rally in solidarity with Palestine and the people of Gaza near Faisal Mosque and permission for it was granted, said Chaudhry, addressing the press conference.

Section 144 imposed

Section 144 has been imposed across Rawalpindi and Islamabad since October 8 till 11, effectively banning public rallies, processions, dharnas and assemblies. Besides, a ban on pillion riding, speakers and inflammatory public speeches. Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) enforced the ban on mobile data services in coordination with commissioners, district administration and the police.

Read: Section 144 imposed in Rawalpindi ahead of TLP rally

“Under no circumstances will anyone be allowed to take the law into their own hands or block roads. Any violent activity under the guise of protest will be dealt with firmly,” said Central Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Khalid Hamdani.

Red Zone sealed

Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) sealed the city’s Red Zone ahead of the TLP rally, with over 70 containers deployed at key entry points of the federal capital, including the Faizabad Interchange.

Police personnel was directed to seal both the Red Zone and Extended Red Zone while Metro Bus Services were suspended till today (Friday).

Universities in the twin cities remained closed citing law and order concerns as district administration directed public and private schools to declare a holiday.

Police crackdown

On Thursday, police had moved to arrest TLP chief Saad Rizvi, with a crackdown on the religiopolitical party's headquarters.

TLP supporters retaliated by attacking police with iron rods and stones, reportedly injuring at least three police constables. Police unleased tear-gas on party workers and supporters in response to the ensuing clash on Multan Road.

Gas masks, chemicals and other supplies were also seized from TLP workers, said the interior minister state, addressing the press conference later that day. The party intended to use these during the rally, added Chaudhry.

Earlier, on Wednesday night, TLP issued a statement claiming a number of their workers had been arrested in raids at their homes.

Police claimed that a large number of the party's supporters had reached Lahore and taken up positions in temporary shelters. According to police, these elements launched attacks at police parties as they moved to raid TLP headquarters.