Internet Mobile Services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi remained blocked after the Ministry of the Interior informed the suspension of 3G and 4G services from midnight on October 9 to 22.00 as Tehreek-E-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), intended for its anti-Israel demonstration on Friday.
Yesterday (Thursday) Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry outside the US embassy said TLP had not sought permission to hold his “Ya Aqsa Million March” outside the US embassy in the federal capital.
The government always allows peaceful demonstrations and marches, he claimed, referring to speeches from TLP leaders as inflammatory and violent in nature during a press conference in Islamabad.
“The people of Palestine do not want sloganering; they want peace. They want their homeland. Such so -called protests are not needed,” the prime minister said.
Hamas and Israel signed a ceasefire agreement on Thursday with Israeli captivity to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in the first phase in line with US Donald Trump’s 20-Boint initiative to end the war in Gaza. Islamabad has declared Trump’s plan as a “historical opportunity” for lasting peace in the Middle East.
Earlier that day, Jamaat-I-islami held a student rally in solidarity with Palestine and the people of Gaza near the Faisal Mosque and permission to be awarded, Chaudhry said, addressing the press conference.
Section 144 imposed
Section 144 has been introduced across Rawalpindi and Islamabad since October 8 to 11, which effectively prohibits public collections, processions, Dharnas and assemblies. In addition, a ban on pillion riding, speakers and inflammatory public speeches. Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) enforced the prohibition on mobile metal services in coordination with commissioners, district administration and police.
Read: Section 144 imposed in RawalPindi prior to TLP -Rally
“Under no circumstances is anyone allowed to take the law in their own hands or block roads. Any violent activity under the guise of protest will be treated,” said Central Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Khalid Hamdani.
Red zone sealed
Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) sealed the city’s red zone ahead of TLP -rally, with over 70 containers inserted at key input points in the federal capital, including the Faizabad exchange.
Police staff were instructed to seal both the red zone and expanded red zone, while metro bus connections were suspended until today (Friday).
Universities in Twin Cities remained closed with reference to law and order problems as district administration ordered public and private schools to declare a holiday.
Police crash
On Thursday, police had moved to arrest TLP chief Saad Rizvi with a crash at the headquarters of the Religious Party.
TLP supporters are reciprocated by attacking the police with iron bars and stones, reportedly injured at least three police constables. Police accidented tear gas on party workers and supporters in response to the subsequent clash on Multan Road.
Gas masks, chemicals and other supplies were also seized by TLP workers, said the prime minister, who related to the press conference later that day. The party intended to use these under the rally, Chaudhry added.
Earlier, Wednesday night, TLP issued a statement in which they claimed that a number of their workers had been arrested in RAID in their homes.
Police claimed that a large number of the party’s supporters had reached Lahore and taking positions in temporary shelters. According to police, these elements launched attacks on police parties as they moved to RAID TLP headquarters.
