Showdown looms as government vows to resist PTI march – Pakistan

•Major highways in Punjab KP are closed for traffic; Highways and bridges along GT Road are blocked
• Heavy security was deployed to disrupt the planned demonstration.
• Dozens arrested across Punjab, Section 144 imposed
• Ministers say IHC order will be fully implemented
• Imran and Alima stand firm and ask people to come out.

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: As PTI remained resolute in its plans to major protest November 24, despite Islamabad High Court rulingThe government on Friday vowed to crush the show of force with full force, deploying large security forces, imposing a total ban on gatherings, blocking highways and highways and launching a crackdown on opposition party leaders and workers.

National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) announced that six key highways will be closed to all traffic “due to maintenance” from Friday evening, so travelers are advised to avoid unnecessary travel during this period. According to statementThe decision was made after information that protesters were planning to create a law and order situation on November 24 and damage public and private property.

The following highways are closed to traffic: M1 from Peshawar to Islamabad, M2 from Lahore to Islamabad, M3 from Lahore to Abdul Hakim, M4 from Pindi Bhattian to Multan, M11 from Sialkot to Lahore and M14 from Yariq to Hakla.

Meanwhile, local authorities blocked bridges over the Chenab and Jhelum rivers in Gujrat district to restrict the movement of PTI protesters towards Islamabad. The closure caused significant inconvenience to commuters, who found themselves stuck in long queues of trucks and other vehicles on both sides of the rivers. Heavy containers and carts were parked on both sides of the bridges.

Section 144, deployment

In light of PTI’s planned protest march in Islamabad, the Punjab government on Friday prohibited all political meetings, rallies, sit-ins, rallies and other events across the province from November 23 to 25.

The Home Ministry has imposed Section 144 across the province on the recommendation of the Cabinet Standing Committee on Law and Order, which reviewed the security situation in Punjab amid the current spate of terror incidents.

The Ministry of Interior said the political party has announced protests and demonstrations across the province on November 24 (Sunday). “It is apprehensive that miscreants/mongerers may take advantage of the said protest to carry out subversive/anti-state activities to further their nefarious designs,” it added.

Islamabad Police has drawn up a comprehensive security plan to counter the PTI protest, which includes blocking roads and key points with containers, deploying personnel, strike teams and arrest teams, and using digital surveillance.

The security plan involves deploying 6,325 Metropolitan Police officers along with 21,500 personnel from other forces – 5,000 Rangers, 5,500 FC personnel, 9,000 Punjab police and 2,000 Sindh police, Metropolitan Police officials said. The goal is to ensure the safety of the population and maintain peace in the city.

About 1,200 containers will be used to block entry points and roads in the capital.

Fifteen key locations in Islamabad, including Kathi Pahari, Nicholson Monument, Paswal, Fatehjang Road, Margalla Avenue, Faizabad and Barakahu, will be blocked with containers. About 4,500 personnel will be deployed to secure these sites, with rangers stationed at Chonggi No. 26. Another 7,500 personnel will be on standby.

Digital surveillance will be carried out through 3,259 cameras operated by the Islamabad Safe City Authority, as well as aerial surveillance using drones.

Administration of Rawalpindi has deployed over 6,000 riot police, supported by Rangers, to maintain law and order during the planned PTI protest on November 24. The city will be cordoned off at 70 points with containers and barriers, and 65 police pickets will be set up to enforce Section 144. and ensure safety.

Entry and exit routes through Rawalpindi region, including Marree Road and routes to Islamabad, will be blocked by containers and barriers at certain points. To enforce Section 144, 65 police pickets will be set up across the city and Metro Bus services will be suspended indefinitely from Saturday evening.

Arrests, raids

On Friday, police also made dozens of arrests and searched houses of PTI leaders and workers across Punjab. In Sahiwal, police arrested 30 people, including political activists, ticket holders, youth, social media activists and district and tehsil officials from different places to stop them from participating in the PTI protest.

Those arrested included NA-141 ticket holder Rana Amir Shahzad, Youth Wing President Sheikh Awais and G.S. Muazzam, former UC Chairman Rana Muhammad Zafar, Jahan Khan, Ghulam Dastigir, Abrar Dougher, Sheikh Tamur, former UC Chairman Malik Asger. , Saqlain, Altaf Bahadar, Shahzad Jatt, Akash, Muhammad Saleem, Osama Mushtaq, Zubair Ali, Ibrar Joya, Adnan, Mushtaq, Aludin and Muhammad Younas.

Police sources said those arrested were taken to an undisclosed location.

Heavy police presence in Gujranwala raided a press conference detained by PTI district chief and former MNA Chaudhry Mehdi Hasan Bhatti and confiscated logo cameras, microphones and mobile phones from journalists.

Subsequently, a case was registered against PTI district leaders and 13 people, including eight journalists, under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The incident caused a wave of anger and indignation among journalists throughout the district, who strongly condemned the actions of the police and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the false case.

In Sargodha, the police began harassing PTI activists and started closing all routes except the highway to stop the movement of PTI supporters.

No permission

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in separate press conferences on Friday, categorically said that the government will not allow PTI protesters to enter the federal capital for a rally and sit-in on Sunday.

Responding to criticism over the closure of Islamabad and the blockade of major highways and expressways, the defense minister called the actions a “lesser evil”, arguing that allowing protesters into the capital could lead to more destruction.

“The court’s decision was made yesterday and we will implement it with full force,” Mr. Asif said. He accused the PTI of planning a “third attack” on the capital after two previous incidents and suggested that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government should instead focus on fighting terrorism.

Rejecting the possibility of behind-the-scenes talks between the government and the PTI, he said PTI leaders, including KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, were in touch with the establishment. “He (Gandapur CM) must have some channels; otherwise it would not have such meaning. As the chief minister of the province, he interacted with the establishment. However, other PTI leaders like Advocate Gohar do not have such contacts,” he added.

Mr. Asif also informed that CM Gandapur was present at supreme committee meeting as part of the National Action Plan and spent hours discussing political issues, including those related to PTI founder Imran Khan. He said Mr Khan, who had previously sought talks with the establishment, had now changed his statement to say he was in contact with politicians. The minister denied any such contacts or negotiations.

Mr Asif said there were disputes in the PTI founder’s family over inheritance and accused Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi of trying to claim political control.

Mohsin Naqvi also vowed to fully enforce the IHC order, claiming that PTI’s long march was aimed at putting pressure on the government to release Imran Khan, who has been in jail for over a year.

“Due to the visit of the President of Belarus and the instructions of the Supreme Court, no rallies, marches or protests will be allowed in the federal capital. We will carry out orders 100 percent at any cost as we are bound by law,” he said.

Denying any contact with Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is being held, the Home Minister said the city administration had not received any official statement from PTI to hold the protest.

He deplored the unrest caused by such protests, but stressed that there was no alternative to maintaining order.

“If they want to come and protest (in Islamabad), I will be the first to oppose any negotiations. If they want to negotiate, it should be done properly. It is unacceptable for one side to protest and at the same time call for negotiations,” he said when asked about possible talks between the government and PTI.

Imran remains firm

But the PTI remained firm in its decision to hold a sit-in in the capital.

“The nation must focus on the November 24 protest. God willing, you will emerge victorious,” PTI founding chairman Imran Khan said in a message to the nation. published on X. Mr. Khan emphasized that November 24 is the day the nation is freed from slavery as the rule of law, constitution and human rights are suspended in Pakistan.

Imran Khan’s sister Alima Khan, after briefly meeting her brother in Adiala Jail, said talk of the November 24 call being withdrawn was misleading. She clarified that her brother did not withdraw the call to protest and supported his decision.

Speaking to reporters, she remarked: “These people are misleading you; you must not follow a word they say. This protest is your constitutional right. The illegal imprisonment of the PTI founder must end.”

She said Nov. 24 was the defining day. She said this is the last call and the PTI founder called on the entire nation to stand up for their freedom and judicial independence. Alima Khan said both she and her brother were ordered to cease communication and leave the country and the cases would be “forgiven”.

With input from Syed Irfan Raza, Munaver Azim and Iftikhar A. Khan in Islamabad, Wasim Ashraf Butt in Gujrat

Published in Dawn magazine November 23, 2024