Liaquat Bagh sealed ahead of PTI gathering

Entry routes, transport services suspended amid security concerns

RAWALPINDI:

Authorities have sealed Liaquat Bagh ahead of a planned Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) gathering on Thursday, imposing strict restrictions across the area.

All entry routes to the park have been closed, while Metro Bus and green bus services have been suspended. Police have been deployed with tear gas along key routes, and Rangers have been placed on alert.

Jogging, family visits and even routine park maintenance activities have been banned for the day. Roads leading to the venue, including Murree Road, Liaquat Road and College Road, have been blocked with containers and barbed wire.

The deputy commissioner rejected PTI's request for the rally, citing security threats, ongoing energy conservation measures, and the imposition of Section 144 across the district.

Police have also launched raids to arrest party workers, though many reportedly went into hiding.

Authorities stated that no gathering would be allowed and warned of arrests in case of violations. Meanwhile, PTI leaders insisted the rally is their constitutional right and vowed to proceed.

Emergency has been declared in hospitals, and police leave has been cancelled, as authorities anticipate possible clashes during the day.

MUN speakers restricted

On the other hand, the Home Department has taken strict notice of private schools which reportedly invited members of a banned organisation to speak on controversial topics at school-level Model United Nations (MUN) events.

The department has issued a notification which now mandates all private schools across Punjab to provide full details of MUN events including the topics to be discussed and list of guest speakers in advance to the Ministry of Education. It has already given instructions for disclosing details related to any debates being organised in private schools in the next 3 months.

The Home Department and the Ministry of Education have issued letters to the Chief Executive Officers of District Education Authorities of all 43 districts of Punjab. Home Department (Punjab Center of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism) has observed that holding MUN debates have become a trend in private educational institutions.

According to a report submitted by intelligence agencies, a delegation of a proscribed organisation was nominated and defended in a MUN held in a private school recently. The department's letter noted that such activities lead to the fragmentation of the minds of young students and risks the incitement of violent extremism.