Mobile Services
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is set to go ahead with its highly anticipated “do-or-die” protest on November 24, despite growing tensions with the government.
Interior Ministry sources confirmed on Saturday that the government is likely to suspend mobile services nationwide starting from the evening. This decision is part of broader security measures aimed at curbing the potential disruption from PTI’s planned demonstration.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has given strict orders to law enforcement agencies to prevent the protesters from entering Islamabad.
In preparation, police vans have been dispatched to the capital, and plans are in place to arrest PTI leaders and workers, with arrangements for their detention already finalized. This move comes as the government intensifies its efforts to handle the protest and maintain order.
In recent months, PTI has organized multiple protests that led to violent clashes between its supporters and law enforcement agencies, raising concerns over the potential for further unrest.
The timing of the protest is particularly sensitive, as it coincides with the visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, scheduled for November 25-27, making security arrangements even more critical.
The government has imposed Section 144 in Islamabad for two months, which prohibits large gatherings, and has requested an additional 8,000 police officers, along with the deployment of Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC), to ensure security during the protest.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has also weighed in, ruling that PTI must hold its demonstration at a designated site, adhering to the newly enacted peaceful assembly laws.
In addition to the mobile service suspension, the authorities are blocking major roads leading into Islamabad.
Motorways and key sections of the GT Road, including from Muridke to Jhelum and the Chenab River Bridge in Gujrat, have been shut down with shipping containers, causing severe traffic disruptions.
The closures have left commuters stranded for hours, further exacerbating the frustration of travelers.
These restrictions come amid the government’s refusal to meet PTI’s demands, particularly the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
As a result, the PTI has decided to proceed with its protest, despite the tense standoff with the government.
Road closures have also been implemented across Punjab, with barriers set up at strategic points like Sadhoke Check-post, Nandipur Check-post, and Jhelum, all contributing to the already dire traffic situation.
The government’s robust response underscores the seriousness with which it is treating the protest and the potential chaos it could cause.
I am a dynamic professional, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management and Resolution, and International Relations. My expertise is particularly focused on South Asian Conflicts and the intricacies of the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific Politics. With my skills as a Content Writer, I serve as a bridge between academia and the public, translating complex global issues into accessible narratives. My passion for fostering understanding and cooperation on the national and international stage drives me to make meaningful contributions to peace and global discourse.
