Blockade of major roads brought unwanted consequences for commuters
\n Islamabad
\nIslamabad was put under a security lockdown on Sunday ahead of protests by supporters of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan calling for his release, caused trouble to many citizens as almost all entrance and exit routes in the federal capital were blocked.
\nThe blockade of arterial roads and disruption of mobile and internet services brought unwanted consequences for daily wage labourers including those who run online taxis in the federal capital.
\nThe residents of Islamabad lamented the road closures, as they faced difficulties in reaching the desired destination particularly hospitals for medical emergency.
\nHighways leading to Islamabad have been blocked in a bid to stop the PTI protesters from entering the federal capital.
\nMost major roads of the city have also been blocked by the government with shipping containers and large contingents of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in riot gear.
\nGatherings of any sort have been banned under legal provisions, the Islamabad police said in a statement.
\nGlobal internet watchdog NetBlocks said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that live metrics showed WhatsApp messaging services had been restricted ahead of the protests.
\nKhyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, is expected to lead the largest convoy into Islamabad, calling on people to gather near the entrance of the city\u2019s red zone, known as \u201cD Chowk\u201d.
\nIslamabad\u2019s red zone houses the country\u2019s parliament building, important government installations, as well as embassies and foreign institutions\u2019 offices.
\n\u201cImran Khan has called on us to remain there till all our demands are met,\u201d he said in a video message on Saturday.
\nThe PTI\u2019s demands include the release of all its leaders, including Khan, revoke the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment and return of the \u201cstolen\u201d mandate in the February 8 election.
\nKhan has been in jail since August last year and, since being voted out of power by parliament in 2022, faces a number of charges ranging from corruption to instigation of violence.
\nHe and his party deny all the charges.
\n\u201cThese constant protests are destroying the economy and creating instability … we want the political leadership to sit together and resolve these matters,\u201d Muhammad Asif, 35, a resident of Islamabad said in front of a closed market.
\nThe last protest in Islamabad by PTI in early October turned violent with one policeman killed, dozens of security personnel injured and protesters arrested. Both sides accused the other of instigating the clashes.
\nSimilarly, citizens of Lahore \u2014 the provincial capital of Punjab \u2014 faced the same restrictions as strict security measures were taken in view of the former ruling party\u2019s protests.
\nAn Islamabad-based health journalist, Muhammad Waqar Bhatti, shared videos of a major road blocked by heavy shipping containers.
\nHe said that several roads were closed for traffic, including Margalla Avenue connecting GT Road to Islamabad, GT Road leading to Rawalpindi and GT Road to Taxila.
\nBhatti expressed fears that any cardiac or stroke patients may lose his life as all roads leading to health facilities were closed.
\nAll major roads, including the motorway, enabling access to the provincial capital were closed to traffic, bringing difficulties for daily wagers, online transporters, as well as tourists.
\nA large number of citizens, who wanted to travel to other cities from Lahore, headed towards the railway station due to the closure of bus terminals.
\nHowever, the schedule of trains has also been disrupted due to the protests. Many travellers complained that they got no confirmation from the officials regarding the exact departure time.
\nIt is pertinent to mention here that public gatherings have been banned in Islamabad for two more months and in Rawalpindi till November 26. Similar restrictions were announced in Punjab for three days starting from Saturday under Section 144.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Blockade of major roads brought unwanted consequences for commuters Islamabad Islamabad was put under a security lockdown on Sunday ahead of protests by supporters of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan calling for his release, caused trouble to many citizens as almost all entrance and exit routes in the federal capital were blocked. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":445465,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-445451","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n