#TLPDharna: Islamabad, Rawalpindi partially shut down as govt braces for protests

Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been partially shut down as the government braces for protests held by banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

Strict security measures have been taken in Rawalpindi, where authorities have suspended the Metro Bus service and blocked its surrounding roads.

 

Containers have been placed on the Sixth Road leading to the Faizabad area. While the Faizabad Ojri Camp road has also been sealed off. 

In a statement, Rawalpindi Traffic Police said Murree Road and Rawal Road have been closed for commuters while Old Airport Road and Mall Road are open.

“Additional policemen have been posted at the High Court Chowk and Mall Road to ensure the smooth flow of traffic,” it added.

The district administration sealed Gawalmandi, Saddar Road, and Kamran Market areas.

The banned outfit had announced a long march towards Islamabad after Friday prayers on Thursday.

TLP leader Pir Ajmal Qadri on Thursday said that a “peaceful” procession would begin after Friday prayers.

“If any hurdles are created, the party also has a Plan B to thwart any official attempts,” he said speaking at a protest site in Lahore.

Protests in Lahore

Containers have also been placed at various points in Lahore, such as the Samanabad turn at Multan Road and at the Grid Station Stop.

Authorities have also placed containers at the Dubai Chowk in Iqbal Town’s Boulevard area to thwart TLP protesters’ attempts at assembling.

The TLP had resumed protests in Lahore earlier this week by staging a massive sit-in on Multan Road near its headquarters at Masjid Rehmatul-lil-Aalemeen.

While the internet services remain suspended in the provincial capital for the second consecutive day.

The provincial government subsequently suspended internet services around Multan Road, Grand Battery Stop, Iqbal Town, Nawankot, Samanabad, and Sabzazar areas of Lahore.

The Ministry of Interior had written to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suspend internet services in various areas of Lahore due to a banned outfit TLP’s protest.