Curfew-like conditions in Islamabad ahead of the PTI rally today

As Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) gears up for a public rally scheduled for today, Islamabad is experiencing heightened security measures and blockades resembling a curfew. The district administration has implemented extensive restrictions, raising concerns about the possibility of a crackdown on the rally under the guise of security.

In anticipation of the rally, the Islamabad district administration has announced a plan to block major entry and exit points around the city. Containers are being deployed along key routes, including Faizabad on Murree Road, to manage the influx of participants and ensure security. These measures aim to prevent PTI supporters from entering sensitive areas, including the capital’s Red Zone.

The government has expressed concerns that PTI supporters, expected to be highly charged, might attempt to breach restricted areas. There is also fear of potential arrests of PTI leaders as part of the crackdown. The situation remains tense as authorities and party leaders prepare for the day’s events.

Despite the uncertainty, PTI leaders, including CM Ali Amin Gandapur, have affirmed their commitment to proceeding with the rally as planned. Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has emphasized that the rally will go on regardless of any last-minute changes or opposition from the government. PTI has mobilized extensive resources, including ambulances, bulldozers, and cranes, to support the event. Party members from the National and Provincial Assemblies have been instructed to bring between 1,000 and 2,000 supporters each.

A significant convoy led by PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh has already departed from Karachi, bringing additional supporters to Islamabad. PTI has also secured a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the district administration, which had initially approved the rally before requesting its cancellation due to the prevailing situation.

Organizers have prepared for various scenarios, including potential confrontations with security forces. Supporters are advised to carry essential supplies such as water, cloth, and salt to counter the effects of tear gas and shelling. The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is personally overseeing the arrangements to ensure the rally’s success.

In Peshawar, PTI Peshawar division president Mohammad Asim Khan has outlined the logistics for transporting activists to the event. Convoys from Peshawar and surrounding areas are scheduled to reach Swabi and then proceed to Islamabad by 4 pm. Approximately 12,000 activists from the Peshawar division are expected to participate.

On the other hand, the police have increased patrolling and put all stations on high alert in anticipation of the rally. There are reports that the police might arrest PTI leaders and activists, adding to the tension. Motorcyclists are also being targeted as part of the security crackdown.

PTI has issued an advisory to its members, instructing them to arrive with a minimum number of workers and to form convoys from their constituencies. Leaders from various regions, including Rawalpindi, Murree, and Hazara, are expected to bring additional supporters.

As Islamabad braces for PTI’s rally, both the authorities and the party are preparing for a high-stakes event. The extensive security measures and logistical preparations underscore the significance of the rally and the challenges both sides face in ensuring its smooth execution. With tensions running high, the outcome of today’s event remains uncertain.