PTI Demonstrations Outside ECP Offices, Roadblocks Expected

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers are likely to stage a nationwide demonstration against the chief election commissioner today (Tuesday) who it claims is biased.

Besides calling for the ECP to take action against PTI “dissidents,” the demonstrators, headed by party officials, are calling for early elections.

The political committee of the PTI met on Sunday and issued the call for protest. Fawad Chaudhry tweeted several accusations against the chief election commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, accusing him of being dishonest and biassed. The ECP did not issue a scheme to remove “dissident legislators” from their seats, according to Fawad.

آج تحریک انصاف کی سیاسی کمیٹی کا اجلاس منعقد ہوا اس اجلاس میں الیکشن کمیشن کے معاملات کا جائزہ لیا گیا، چیف الیکشن کمشنر نے جانبداری اور بددیانتی کی انتہا کر دی ہے منصوبے کے تحت ابھی تک منحرف اراکین کی اسمبلی سیٹ ختم کرنے کی ڈیکلریشن نہیں کی جا رہی، #امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 24, 2022

In major cities, the protests will begin at 12:00 p.m. local time.

Islamabad

The Kanwal Market, G6 Ground, has become a gathering place for small groups of people. Most of them are walking or driving to their destinations.

The Red Zone was closed down by the capital city police on Tuesday, although Margalla Road and Serena Chowk remained accessible.

“Following places are closed for traffic closure: Express Chowk, NADRA Chowk, Ayub Chowk, and Bari Imam Road,” the Islamabad Police tweeted.

(ITP Traffic Alert 8:00 am )

کھلے راستے
ریڈ زون میں داخلے/باہر نکلنے کے لیے درج ذیل راستے استعمال کیے جا سکتے ہیں۔
1- مارگلہ روڈ
2- سرینا چوک

بند راستے
ریڈ زون کے درج ذیل پوائنٹس دونوں اطراف کی ٹریفک کے لیے بند ہیں۔
1- ایکسپریس چوک
2- نادرا چوک
3- ایوب چوک
4- بری امام روڈ pic.twitter.com/5r7NERKiWF

— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) April 26, 2022

On the directives of Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz, police said on Monday that Section 144 has been implemented in the Red Zone. People can no longer congregate in public locations. It urged politicians and protesters not to stage any demonstrations in the Red Zone by the police.

CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja arrived at the ECP office in Islamabad about midday, according to the latest information. 300 Rangers and 1,500 police officers were on duty in the Red Zone at all times. The addition of a prisoner van, water cannon, and armoured vehicles were necessary. The Anti-Riot Force has also put in a special team. Pakistan’s military is on alert.

ECP office in Islamabad is at G-5/2 Constitution Avenue, which connects the Prime Minister’s Office with Parliament House and the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP).

The administration of the capital city has insisted that only legislators be allowed to take part in the demonstration.

Lahore

With a large police presence, PTI demonstrators have gathered outside the ECP headquarters in Lahore. Routes to the workplace have been closed and traffic is being routed to other routes.

The ECP office in Lahore is at the back of the Aiwan-e-Sadr, thus the Punjab government has issued no orders to close the roads leading to it. Unlike the one in the capital, this one is not as congested and as sensitive.

پاکستان تحریک انصاف پنجاب کا صوبائی صدر شفقت محمود اور انفارمیشن سیکرٹری مسرت جمشید چیمہ کی قیادت میں لاہور میں الیکشن کمیشن کے دفتر کے باہر احتجاج عوام کی کثیر تعداد الیکشن کمیشن سے لوٹوں کے خلاف قانون کے مطابق کاروائی کا مطالبہ کر رہی #ECP_Disqualify_Lotas pic.twitter.com/aO7Osr8M7l

— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 26, 2022

Peshawar

An additional request for protection for the division’s ECP offices was made to district police officials and deputy commissioners in Peshawar on Monday.

An official letter stated, “Keeping in mind the foregoing circumstances, foolproof security measures are necessary to be arranged for the ECP offices in Peshawar Division from tomorrow 07:00 am under the supervision of a competent police officer.'”

Charsadda, Mohmand, Peshawar, and Nowshera have all requested security services.

Outside the ECP office on Shami Road in Peshawar’s Cantt district, security has been stepped up, according to the most recent information available.

Quetta

Members of the Pakistani Taliban (PTI) have assembled outside the ECP headquarters in Quetta to protest on their party’s orders.

Karachi

Demonstrators from the former governing party have also arrived at the Karachi protest venue and yelled slogans against the alleged behaviour of the CEC and “party dissidents”. There will be a march from the ECP headquarters to the Sindh High Court following the protest, as has been determined by party officials.