ISLAMABAD/LAHORE/LALAMUSA: State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry Friday said there was no room for mob politics or forcing demands on the government through the street power.
Addressing a press conference here, he said the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) was spreading disorder rather than staging a lawful protest.
Chaudhry insisted the state won’t let any group hold it to ransom and said peaceful protest was a right but disorder would not be tolerated, reports INP.
He said one group had crossed the line from demonstration to disruption.
The minister said barriers had been put in place to protect the citizens’ lives and property and that authorities could not permit attacks on public property. He accused the protesters of failing to respect the sanctity of mosques and causing injuries to the security personnel.
According to Chaudhry, over one dozen police and Rangers personnel were wounded during confrontations and there was video evidence of use of firearms.
He said Safe City surveillance cameras had been damaged and accused the organisers of doing the propaganda to charge the public.
Chaudhry added that officials were still attempting to restrain the demonstrators without resorting to the use of excessive force.
Separately, the minister welcomed what he described as popular rejoicing over the Gaza peace agreement saying Palestinians had offered prayers of thanks.
He praised the prime minister’s efforts for raising the Palestine issue at the international fora and said Pakistan had strongly highlighted Gaza’s situation on global platforms.
The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad Friday faced a curfew-like situation, with the roads sealed, communication lines off, and all entry points barricaded in fear of an anti-Israel demonstration by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) outside the US embassy in the federal capital.
The Metro Bus service remained completely suspended, with the police manning at stops. Section 144 has been imposed for four days, banning all rallies, processions, and public gatherings, as well as pillion-riding.
Even ambulances were not allowed to move toward hospitals, thanks to the police and other law-enforcement agencies’ personnel who roaming about in every nook and corner of the twin cities.
State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the TLP did not obtain the permit necessary to hold the rally.
The authorities sealed key highways to restrict the movement of TLP activists from joining the Al-Quds March in Lahore and Islamabad.
M3 Motorway (Multan–Lahore) was closed from Abdul Hakim Toll Plaza to Lahore, M2 Motorway (Lahore–Islamabad) was closed from Pindi Bhattian to Islamabad, and N-5 National Highway (Multan–Lahore) was closed at Mian Channu Toll Plaza toward Lahore.
Containers have been placed at Faizabad Interchange to block entry to Islamabad from Rawalpindi, with the police and law-enforcement agencies on high alert.
At least 37 points across the city were blocked with containers, trailers and barriers. The public and private schools here in Rawalpindi and Islamabad were shut down.
As many as 6,000 law-enforcement officers and personnel were deployed across Rawalpindi with City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani in charge.
Officers above superintendent of police and above were armed, while the rest were equipped with tear gas guns, rubber bullets and 12-bore shotguns, said police.
Police were deployed at Kalma Chowk, Rahimabad, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Sawan Pul and Adiala Road.
Thirteen Special Police Units and snipers are stationed along Murree Road from Shalimar Chowk to Faizabad.
According to local administration, traffic movement is allowed in certain areas, including Pindi Cricket Stadium (single line open towards Rawat), Kutchery Chowk, Waris Khan Chowk, Rawal Bridge (single line open in/out), and Naka Gulzar-e-Quaid toward Rawalpindi/Islamabad (single line open in/out).
Additionally, Chakri Interchange (open toward Rawalpindi), T-Chowk Rawat, Koral Chowk, and Daultala Mor on Mandra–Chakwal Road (open toward Rawalpindi) were reported to be accessible, offering limited but crucial mobility between key points in the twin cities.
The Metro Bus service remained suspended, while key thoroughfares and arteries along Murree Road, in Faizabad, around Moti Mahal Chowk, in Shamsabad, Dhoke Kala Khan, IJP Road, Pindora Chungi, Khanna Pul, and Chak Madad were sealed.
The Red Zone and Extended Red Zone were barricaded and GT Road was blocked at Taxila Chowk, Brahma Interchange, Fateh Jang Toll Plaza, Chak Beli Mor, Gujar Khan, Mandra Toll Plaza, and Chakwal Mor.
Routine services at courts were disturbed with low attendance during hearings.
The police were unable to bring inmates from Adiala Jail and produce them in courts.
Prison vans were stationed at intersections on Mareer Hassan, Liaquat Bagh, Chandni Chowk, Committee Chowk, and Faizabad, among others.
The Senate session was adjourned indefinitely as most lawmakers could not reach the House because of blocked roads.
Our correspondent from Lahore adds: In Lahore, intense clashes broke out between the police and TLP workers during the party’s Gaza March on Multan Road.
According to reports, TLP workers pelted stones at the police, prompting the law enforcers to fire tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.
The violent confrontation left several police personnel injured.
Edhi Foundation officials said ambulances and volunteers promptly shifted the injured policemen to various hospitals across the city. Police sources confirmed that the situation in the area remained tense following the clashes.
Our correspondent from Lalamusa adds: Widespread road closures brought traffic to a standstill across the Gujrat District on Friday ahead of a massive protest by Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Islamabad.
The group announced plans to hold a large-scale anti-Israel demonstration outside the US embassy in the federal capital.
Heavy containers and barricades were placed on the GT Road, Service Road, Lalamusa, GT Road Kharian, and GT Road Gujrat, effectively sealing major entry and exit points of the district.
The commuters reported long-hour delays and diversions as several routes — including Chenab Bridge, Shahbazpur Bridge, Khanki Headworks, Marala Headworks, Chiryawala Road, Saddar Sarai Alamgir Old Bridge, Jhelum Bridge, Kang Channan Road, Awan Sharif Road, and Kari Sharif Road — were also blocked or heavily restricted.
The road closures caused widespread inconvenience to the residents, especially students and teachers.
Although many schools and colleges attempted to remain open, attendance dropped sharply as teachers and pupils struggled to reach the campuses due to the blockade.
INP adds: State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry Friday said there was no room for mob politics or forcing demands on the government through the street power.
Addressing a press conference here, he said the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) was spreading disorder rather than staging a lawful protest.
Chaudhry insisted the state won’t let any group hold it to ransom and said peaceful protest was a right but disorder would not be tolerated.
He said one group had crossed the line from demonstration to disruption.
The minister said barriers had been put in place to protect the citizens’ lives and property and that authorities could not permit attacks on public property. He accused the protesters of failing to respect the sanctity of mosques and causing injuries to the security personnel.
According to Chaudhry, over one dozen police and Rangers personnel were wounded during confrontations and there was video evidence of use of firearms.
He said Safe City surveillance cameras had been damaged and accused the organisers of doing the propaganda to charge the public.
Chaudhry added that officials were still attempting to restrain the demonstrators without resorting to the use of excessive force.
Separately, the minister welcomed what he described as popular rejoicing over the Gaza peace agreement saying Palestinians had offered prayers of thanks.
He praised the prime minister’s efforts for raising the Palestine issue at the international fora and said Pakistan had strongly highlighted Gaza’s situation on global platforms.
