Lahore has been sealed in the wake of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s call for protest at Minar-e-Pakistan today.
The entry and exit points of the Punjab capital were closed. Officials at the checkpoints are letting a limited number of vehicles enter and exit the city.
The motorways were closed by placing containers. Entry blocked at Thokar Niaz Baig, Babusabu, Mahmood Booti Interchange.
The police force was present throughout the night. Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek Insaf leader Hamad Azhar announced the time of protest in Lahore.
Taking to social media platform X, the former minister said there will be a protest at Minar-e-Pakistan at 2 o’clock on Saturday.
He stressed that there would be a peaceful demonstration of people’s power for freedom and an independent judiciary. The people of Lahore will come out tomorrow, he added.
The Punjab government has already imposed Section 144 in Lahore, Mianwali, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, and Attock, banning all kinds of political assemblies, gatherings, rallies, and protests.
Section 144 will remain in force in Lahore until Oct 8; Mianwali until Oct 7; and in Rawalpindi, Sargodha and Attock until Oct 6. Pillion riding was banned in Rawalpindi and Attock for two days.
The government has called nine companies of paramilitary Rangers in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Attock to perform duty on Saturday.
