Iran Press/Asia: So far, some of the roads entering Islamabad are fully congested, while some have been kept partially open, such that citizens have faced great difficulty in traveling within the city and have had to change their routes repeatedly.
The reason is said to be the announcement of a protest rally in Islamabad on Sunday by former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Last month, too, a protest was held in Islamabad's D-Chowk by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers, and on this occasion, not only the entrances to Islamabad were closed, but internet service was suspended in many cities including Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
During the previous protest, clashes between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers and the police continued all day, and tear gas was fired at the protesters.
In the current situation, police personnel have been called from other provinces to help the Islamabad police. The administration has closed the public transport terminal from other cities; Islamabad hotels have also been stopped from hosting guests.
The local court has passed a legal order that the government should contact the leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and cancel the protest, but if the political party is adamant about protesting, then it is the government’s duty to use force to prevent any kind of protest in the federal capital.
After the court order, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi contacted the current chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Barrister Gauhar, over the phone and requested him to cancel the protest, but so far there has been no response from the Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who is a close ally of Imran Khan and is likely to lead the protest. Ali Khan has said in a recent statement that all workers should reach D-Chowk Islamabad on November 24 and protest and not return until their demands are met.
The police force has started patrolling in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and seems ready to face any possible chaos.
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