The Rawalpindi administration has fully sealed off the city by placing containers ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest at Liaquat Bagh.
Traffic into the city has been completely halted, causing significant inconvenience to residents due to the blocked routes. Thousands of police officers have been deployed at key locations.
Law enforcement agencies maintain a strong presence throughout the city. Liaquat Bagh has been entirely sealed off, and Section 144 has been enforced citywide, banning all gatherings, protests, and the display of weapons. The metro bus service has also been partially suspended.
Section 144 Enforced
In preparation for the planned PTI protests in Rawalpindi, the local police have cancelled leave for all officers, recalling those on vacation back to duty. Officers failing to report are at risk of termination.
To uphold law and order, authorities have enforced Section 144 across the division from September 28 to 29, prohibiting gatherings, political rallies, and the display of weapons. PTI has called for protests on September 29 at multiple locations, including Liaquat Bagh.
Since last night, police have launched a series of raids and door-to-door searches targeting PTI leaders and active supporters to prevent their participation in the protests.
Major Intersections Closed
All major intersections in Rawalpindi have been closed. The route from Faizabad to Murree Chowk has been completely sealed off, along with all entry points on Murree Road, including Liaquat Bagh Chowk, Committee Chowk, and Asghar Mall Chowk.
Other key intersections, such as Chandni Chowk, Rahmanabad Chowk, Sadiqabad Chowk, and Shamsabad Double Road Chowk, have also been closed. Liaquat Bagh remains under complete lockdown.
Smaller streets leading to Murree Road have been barricaded with barbed wire. Two government offices near Liaquat Bagh have been closed, and educational institutions on Liaquat Road, Iqbal Road, and Sixth Road have also shut down.
Hotels along Liaquat and Iqbal Roads have been vacated, and morning walks at Liaquat Bagh are prohibited. The entry of ambulances to Murree Road and allied hospitals has been restricted, with police and prisoner vans stationed at all intersections.
The entry of bicycles to Liaquat Bagh has been completely banned. Breakfast shops and tandoors on Liaquat Road are also shut down. Police equipped with tear gas have been deployed throughout the city, including at metro bus stations. The metro bus service has been completely suspended, and the Bykea motorcycle service is unavailable.
Areas Near Faizabad Closed
Nearby areas of Faizabad have also been sealed off to prevent a potential PTI rally. The suspension of the metro bus service in Islamabad has added to the inconvenience faced by citizens. Work on the metro bus track has also stopped, and a heavy police presence has been deployed near Faizabad.
Low Attendance in Government Offices
Due to the closure of key areas, including Murree Road, Liaquat Bagh, and Rawal Road, attendance in government offices is significantly lower than usual.
Entry Points to Rawalpindi Sealed
All key entry points to Rawalpindi have been fully blocked. Access to the city from Tarnol GT Road, the motorway, and Rawat GT Road is completely sealed. Similarly, routes from Murree, Kotli Sattian, Kahuta, and Taxila to Rawalpindi are closed.
Female police personnel have been deployed at various key locations, including Liaquat Bagh Chowk, Committee Chowk, and Maira Chowk.
Rawalpindi: A City of Containers
After the imposition of Section 144 and efforts to prevent the PTI rally, the district administration has placed barriers across the city. All petrol stations along Murree Road are closed, and all routes in Sadar Gawalmandi are blocked.
Containers have been positioned at numerous points across the city, making Rawalpindi resemble a city of containers. Access for ambulances from outside the city to hospitals is completely restricted.
Routes to Adiala Jail Blocked
In Rawalpindi, areas like Rahmanabad Chowk and Shamsabad have been sealed off. All routes leading to Adiala Jail are fully blocked, and parking in front of the jail has been banned.
Transportation to Adiala Jail village has also been halted, causing difficulties for citizens visiting regular inmates. The entire police force from Police Lines, Sihala Police Training College, and Rawat Constabulary has been deployed on Murree Road.
