ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - A day after Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi asked the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to put off its scheduled protest till Oct 17 and warned its leadership of stringent action in case it failed to defer its march on the twin cities, the federal government sprang into action by blocking all roads leading to Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
All key thoroughfares of the capital and garrison cities have been sealed by placing containers. A 20-meter long container-wall has been erected at Zero Point whereas Faizabad has been closed by double-layered heavy containers.
Sirinagar Highway has been blocked at various points. Similarly, Islamabad Expressway has been condoned off from Khanna Bridge to Faisal Mosque while D-Chowk, Serena Chowk and Nadra Chowk also have been blcoked with containers.
The authorities have suspended mobile phone services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
SCHOOLS' CLOSURE
All private schools will remained closed on Oct 4 (Friday) ahead of the PTI's expected protest at D-Chowk.
The Islamabad Private Schools Association (IPSA) had earlier decided to close all private schools due to a potentially volatile situation ahead of the protest in Islamabad.
METRO BUS OPERATION SUSPENDED
On the other hand, the Metro Bus administration also announced suspension of its services from Saddar station to IJP Road. Commuters will have a tough day in the absence of the bus service.
MOTORWAYS SEALED
Besides, the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway has been sealed for traffice as the Lahore city administration has placed more than 12 containers at the Babu Sabu Interchange, with heavy contingents of police patrolling the area to arrest the PTI workers.
SECTION 144 IMPOSED
The Section-144 has been imposed in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Attock and Sargodha to ban all sorts of political gatherings and protests.
The Punjab government also requisitioned services of the Rangers to maintain law and order in these cities.
IMPASSIONED PTI WORKERS
The PTI workers from KP pledged to reach Islamabad at all costs on the instructions given by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
The party leaders urged the workers to reach D-Chowk by breaking through the hindrances.
Police have taken several PTI leaders and workers into custody while some of the party Lahore leaders are said to have gone into hiding.
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