- Commercial activities are quiet due to road closure.
- Restaurants, Faizabad hotels are also sealed.
- The minister says the state “would not be blackmailed by mobs”.
The daily affairs of Islamabad and Rawalpindy remain severely affected by the second consecutive day on Saturday due to the closure of roads and internet service suspension in the middle of a protest call from Tehreek-E-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
Larger roads and crosses, including Faizabad Interchange and IJP Road, remained completely closed to traffic. The most important Faizabad exchange connecting Rawalpindi and Islamabad was sealed with shipping containers, while Khanna Pul, Kuri Road and Dhoke Kala Khan routes also remained closed to traffic.
The Islamabad administration has sealed the red zone and placed containers around D-CHOWK to block access.
The administration has also introduced a complete ban on the entry of heavy vehicles in Rawalpindi, while roads leading to the airport are also sealed with containers.
Educational institutions are closed, while Internet service in several parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi remains suspended for the second consecutive day, causing difficulties for residents and businesses.
The Metro bus connection between Rawalpindi and Islamabad was suspended in the midst of security concerns, while police quotas have been deployed in Faizabad Interchange, a place known for the religious party’s former sit-ins.
All restaurants and hotels in the Faizabad area have also been sealed by the authorities.
Authorities have already introduced section 144 of CRPC across Punjab, which prevents the display of weapons and prohibited public gatherings.
The measures have been taken in the wake of a protest call in the capital of Saad Hussain Rizvi-led religious and political party.
A day earlier, Prime Minister of Inner Talal Chaudhry said the government strives to prevent TLP’s planned march against Islamabad through peaceful means and claims the state “would not be blackmailed by mobs”.
Chaudhry maintained that the federal government had implemented preventative measures and would not tolerate “extortion and policy for demands”.
The Minister accused TLP of exploiting sensitive issues for political gains and declared that the party was involved in attacks on public property in the past.
Chaudhry questioned the rationale behind the march and noted that Palestinians are celebrating the recent agreement on peace in Gaza.
“The biggest party in the question is the Palestinians, and they are celebrating the recent peace agreement,” he said.
