Police arrested over 400 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters in a crackdown ahead of Sunday’s scheduled protest in Islamabad. The federal capital’s administration imposed a ban on public gatherings citing security concerns after imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the protest date.
Police sources confirmed the detention of approximately 300 PTI activists, including men and women, in Islamabad. Weapons and ammunition were reportedly seized during the operation. The detainees have been moved to various police stations. In Rawalpindi, over 100 PTI supporters were arrested and relocated to different stations. Police also conducted a flag march in Rawalpindi to display their readiness.
In a separate raid, police targeted the residence of Basima Chaudhry, niece of former PTI president Pervez Elahi, in Mandi Bahauddin. Basima alleged that plainclothes officers entered her home at 2:30 a.m., vandalized property, and harassed staff. She condemned the raid as political retaliation and labeled it as “terrorism.” Basima, a PTI lawmaker who renounced her U.S. citizenship to serve Pakistan, demanded clarification about the charges against her and other party members.
Authorities have also blocked several key roads, including Murree Road in Abbottabad’s Galiyat region, using heavy machinery. This has caused disruptions for tourists and locals.
The situation has escalated at Rawalpindi Railway Station, where passenger traffic has surged, doubling normal capacity. Many travelers have set up makeshift camps due to the lack of tickets. Officials are working to manage the crowd and transport passengers to their destinations.
Road closures have severely affected daily life in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. In one instance, a wedding procession from Sialkot to Lahore was halted on a motorway, forcing the groom to appeal to authorities for passage. Tragically, a patient died at Jhelum Bridge in Sarai Alamgir as relatives were unable to transport them to a hospital due to blocked roads. All three bridges in Jhelum remain closed, further hindering emergency medical access.
