ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Gohar Khan postponed the public gathering in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) on Thursday.
Gohar and Azam Swati told the media persons that PTI has postponed today’s public gathering in Islamabad on the advice of the PTI founder Imran Khan
They said the political atmosphere is tense as Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced a rally in Islamabad despite the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration revoked the rally permit late last night, leading to heightened security measures across the twin cities.
Meanwhile, containers have been strategically placed around the Red Zone, effectively blocking all roads leading to the area.
Security has been placed on high alert in both Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Access to the Red Zone is restricted, with only government employees allowed to enter by showing their office cards.
Azam Swati said that PTI will now hold the public gathering on September 8. He urged the PTI caravans to return to their home destinations on the orders of the PTI founder Imran Khan.
Earlier, police sealed key routes leading to Islamabad through Faizabad after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced plans to hold a protest in the capital, despite the revocation of the no objection certificate (NOC) for the event.
The Faizabad Interchange was blocked by containers placed on the double road and at the Chongi No 26 bus stop, leading to long traffic jams and leaving many people stranded. The Metro Bus service in Rawalpindi and Islamabad was also suspended, and a heavy police presence was deployed along alternative routes to facilitate and secure the public.
In response to the PTI’s scheduled protests, the Islamabad district administration decided to close all public and private educational institutions on Thursday.
Security has been heightened, with the red zone areas and the entry and exit points of the federal capital sealed. D-Chowk was also closed off with containers, and while Margalla Avenue remains open from one side for entry into the red zone, it is closed off from GT Road.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
