Islamabad, Rawalpindi in lockdown, entry points sealed ahead of TLP rally

Islamabad and Rawalpindi in lockdown on Friday, with roads sealed, communication lines cut, and public movement at a standstill, and all entry points sealed. 

The religiopolitcal party held an anti-Israel demonstration outside the US Embassy in the federal capital today (Friday).

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.

Read: Mobile data services suspended as twin cities brace for TLP rally

Interior Minister of State Talal Chaudhry said that the TLP did not obtain necessary permits to hold the rally.

Major road closures

Authorities have sealed key highways to restrict movement of activists from joining the TLP’s Al-Quds March in Lahore and Islamabad.

M3 Motorway (Multan–Lahore) closed from Abdul Hakim Toll Plaza to Lahore.

M2 Motorway (Lahore–Islamabad) closed from Pindi Bhattian towards Islamabad.

N-5 National Highway (Multan–Lahore) closed at Mian Channu Toll Plaza towards Lahore.

Containers have been placed at Faizabad Interchange to block entry into Islamabad from Rawalpindi. Police and law enforcement remain on high alert, with more closures expected in the coming hours to prevent further mobilization of TLP supporters.

At least 37 points across the city are blocked with containers, trailers and barriers. Public and private schools along Multan Road were directed shut and universities across the twin cities remained closed. Ambulances struggled to pass with Rawat, T-Chowk, and motorway closed.

As many as 6,000 officers and personnel are deployed duty across Rawalpindi with Rawalpindi City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani in charge. SP-ranking officers and above are armed, the rest are equipped with tear gas guns, rubber bullets and 12-bore shotguns, said police.

Police are deployed at Kalma Chowk, Rahimabad, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Sawan Pul and Adiala Road. Thirteen Special Police Units and snipers are stationed along Murree Road from Shalimar Chowk to Faizabad.

According to the Road Situation Report, traffic movement is allowed in certain areas, including Pindi Cricket Stadium (single line open towards Rawat), Kachakori Chowk, Waris Khan Chowk, Rawal Bridge (single line open in/out), and Naka Gulzar-e-Quaid towards Rawalpindi/Islamabad (single line open in/out). Additionally, Chakri Interchange (open towards Rawalpindi), T-Chowk Rawat, Koral Chowk, and Daulatali Mor on Mandra–Chakwal Road (open towards Rawalpindi) are reported to be accessible, offering limited but crucial mobility between key points in the twin cities.

Read More: Islamabad moves to thwart TLP protest

City at standstill

Metro Bus Services are suspended while key thoroughfares and arteries along Murree Road, in Faizabad, around Moti Mahal Chowk, in Shamsabad, Dhoke Kala Khan, IJP Road, Pandora Chungi, Khanna Pul, and Chak Madad are sealed as are all other connecting roads to Islamabad.

The Red Zone and Extended Red Zone are barricaded and GT Road is blocked at Taxila Chowk, Brahma Interchange, Fateh Jang Toll Plaza, Chak Beli Morh, Gujar Khan, Mandra Toll Plaza, and Chakwal Morh.

Complete closure of roads and intersections has paralyzed the city’s traffic system. Murree Road’s shutdown caused massive congestion on side streets, with motorcycles and rickshaws overflowing into narrow lanes, making it difficult for residents to step out.

The Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) has postponed the SDO (Pera) exams, which were to be held on October 11 and 12 in Lahore and other cities. New dates for the exams are to be announced later. 

Routine services at courts were disprupted with low attendance at hearings at civil courts and police unable to produce inmates from Adiala Jail. By 9.30am, district courts were vacant, with scribe reports describing Kachehri as “deserted”.

Prison vans were stationed at intersections on Mareer Hassan, Liaquat Bagh, Chandni Chowk, Committee Chowk, and Faizabad, among others.

The Senate session scheduled for today adjourned indefinitely after the required quorum could not be met. "Most lawmakers could not reach the Senate because roads are blocked due to a religious group's activity in Islamabad," said Federal Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.

On Thursday, the police moved to raid TLP headquarters in a bit to arrest the religiopolitical party's chief Saad Rizvi and faced retaliation by the party's supporters. TLP members pelted police personnel with stones, sticks and rods on Multan Road. Police charged back with tear gas.

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

Section 144 is in effect across the twin cities, with a ban imposed on public gatherings, rallies, protests, demonstations and assemblies besides a ban on pillion riding, and inflammatory speeches