ISLAMABAD (National Times) Citing possible road closure across the federal capital, the private schools’ association has announced that the schools will remain closed on Friday (tomorrow) as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) plans to hold protest for “judiciary’s independence” at D-Chowk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChildren\u2019s safety is our top priority [\u2026] Even today, the students suffered from road blockades,\u201d Waheed Khan, general secretary of private schools\u2019 association, said in a statement issued on late Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The development came after the former ruling party \u2014 founded by Imran Khan \u2014 announced its plan to hold a demonstration at D-Chowk for the \u201cindependence\u201d of the judiciary and the release of the former prime minister from jail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Islamabad district administration has already enforced Section 144 and \u201cthe Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024\u201d, regulating holding of public assemblies, at certain places in the capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In efforts to thwart the potential protest, the authorities started sealing the federal capital by placing containers to block Murree Road leading towards Faizabad Interchange and Islamabad Expressway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides strict security arrangements, blockades were put at various arteries to stop the protesters from gathering in the capital. Meanwhile, the motorway police have also blocked the Motorway M-1 at Swabi Interchange.
In a separate statement, Islamabad police said that all Khidmat Markaz Centres and driving licence branches will also remain closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources told Geo News that Rawalpindi was put on high alert while at least 4,000 security personnel have been deployed in the city. Furthermore, metro bus service from Saddar to IJP Road will remain shut today (Friday).
On the other hand, sources claimed the federal authorities were in contact with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who had announced to lead multiple convoys from Peshawar to attend the PTI\u2019s planned protest at the D-Chowk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The federal government\u2019s representatives asked the provincial chief executive to postpone the protest as it will coincide with the final day of the Malaysian prime minister\u2019s visit to Pakistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The claim was confirmed by provincial minister, Muhammad Zahir Shah, who said that Gandapur was adamant on holding the protest tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGandapur told the authorities that protest will only be cancelled on Imran Khan\u2019s call,” he said while speaking to Geo News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, KP government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif denied any contact with the federal authorities. \u201cNo formal contact was made by any federal minister.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe decision to stage demonstration at D-Chowk remains intact [\u2026] The protest will be held at any cost,\u201d Saif added.
Earlier, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi \u2014 while addressing a presser \u2014warned of a strict action against those who launch an “onslaught on Islamabad\u201d, urging the Imran Khan-founded party to review its protest call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe PTI\u2019s top leadership should review its protest call [\u2026] No one will be allowed for an onrush on Islamabad,\u201d the security czar said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The foreign delegations including from China and Saudi Arabia would be arriving in the federal capital, the minister said adding, that the upcoming SCO summit, scheduled for October 15 and 16 in Islamabad, is of utmost importance for the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cParamilitary forces, army and Rangers have been called in. We have to ensure security in the [federal capital],\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Naqvi said the country\u2019s interest should be given priority over political goals, stating that any act that could tarnish the country\u2019s image should be avoided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe hope that KP CM [Ali Amin Gandapur] will not resort to any move that could bring disrepute to the country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe PTI is a party of Pakistan, not a foreign entity. When a head of state is present in Islamabad and you plan to onrush at that time, this is completely inappropriate,\u201d Naqvi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He warned that the country would suffer forever if even a minor incident occurred during the Malaysian premier\u2019s stay. \u201cYou have time till tomorrow [\u2026] Review your protest call as there is no permission at all to launch assault,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf anyone does this tomorrow, they should not expect any leniency. This is a very thin line for us,\u201d the minister said, adding that in such a case, no one should ask the administration to show leniency to whoever was caught.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further said the police have completed its arrangement if anyone came to the capital, and no one should complain if they were dealt with in a certain manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pakistan is all set to host SCO moot from October 15 with Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch saying there would be a ministerial meeting and multiple rounds of senior officials\u2019 meetings to concentrate on fostering cooperation in finance, economics, socio-cultural affairs and humanitarian efforts among member states.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD (National Times) Citing possible road closure across the federal capital, the private schools’ association has announced that the schools will remain closed on Friday (tomorrow) as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) plans to hold protest for “judiciary’s independence” at D-Chowk. \u201cChildren\u2019s safety is our top priority [\u2026] Even today, the students suffered from road blockades,\u201d Waheed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":90736,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-90735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n