Govt decides to stop PTI's long march

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Cabinet has decided to stop long march of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and reiterated that government will ensure safety of public’s lives and properties.

Federal cabinet has also decided to not allow anyone to bring Islamabad to a standstill.

Meanwhile, Police Committee chaired by PM Shehbaz Sharif, also decided not to compromise on the state’s writ.

The committee was also of the view that these rallies can destroy economy and daily wagers will be directly be affected by this.

It was also decided that those who break the law will be held accountable for their acts while all avenues will be kept open for the public interest.

Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad impose section 144

After the imposition of section 144 in Sindh, Punjab and Islamabad on Tuesday imposed section 144.

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Attaullah Tarar said in a press conference that we are imposing section 144 in Punjab.

Meanwhile, routes and transport towards Islamabad from Punjab is closed.

Sindh government has also imposed section 144 across the province for a period of one month.

Meetings, processions, rallies and public gatherings will be banned across Sindh. Violations will be prosecuted under section 144.

IHC orders govt to stop harassing PTI workers

Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered government to stop harassing workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

IHC conducted hearing on plea of PTI against closure of roads and possible arrests of its leaders and workers in the federal capital.

The court directed officials to not harass anyone unnecessarily and issued notices to IGP, Chief Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Islamabad.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that unbridled protests cannot be allowed in the federal capital and how will miscreant elements be dealt with if they reach Islamabad under guise of a protest.

Govt seals Lahore entry, exit points

Government has sealed entry and exit points of provincial capital of Punjab.

The police have closed Ravi River bridge with containers and close Lahore-Islamabad routes including Motorway and GT Road have also been closed with heavy contingent of police stationed at Thokar Niaz Baig and Babu Sabu interchange.

Authorities have also closed Sagian Bridge with a tractor-trolley.

Ministers condemn killing of police constable in Lahore

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Tuesday said that red line has been crossed after shooting of police constable Kamal Ahmad in Lahore.

The federal minister went on to say that it is time to mark a "red line" to rescue Pakistan’s people and the economy. "We have drawn a red line for the development of Pakistan’s economy, we will not allow anyone to cross it," she said.

Aurangzeb further said that those who destroyed Pakistan will not be allowed to destroy it anymore. "Whenever Pakistan’s economy takes off, Imran’s miscreant behavior comes in the way," she added.

Similarly, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that shooting of police constable is the proof that Imran Khan is a terrorist and he is the murderer of Kamal Ahmad.

The federal minister said that those who say march of "bloodshed" will happen will be held accountable. After firing on police, it has been proved that this is not a political activity. "It is a proof that they never wanted a peaceful March," he said.

Sanaullah went on to say that these people who used abusive language, have started to fire bullets. They broke the law and will be held accountable for that.

"Imran Khan is trying to start a civil war in the country. We will bring them to justice. We will not let civil war, chaos and anarchy to rule in the country," he said.

Police conduct raids at PTI leaders’ houses, arrest dozens of PTI workers

Punjab police launched a crackdown against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers ahead of PTI long march during which one man and dozens of PTI workers were taken into custody, Dunya News reported on Monday.

Police raided the PTI leader and former federal minister Hammad Azhar residence in Abu Bakar Block New Gardan Town Lahore on late Monday night to arrest him.

Police allegedly used ladder to enter the house of Hammad Azhar. However, police failed in its attempt to arrest Hammad Azhar as he was not present at home at the time of police raid. Police arrested several PTI workers from outside Hammad Azhar’s house.

In Lahore, police also raided PTI leader Mian Aslam Iqbal and arrested his brother Mian Afzal Iqbal. The residences of Senator Ijaz Chaudhry, Senator Waleed Iqbal, MPA Saadia Sohail and PTI leader Jamshaid Cheema were also raided by police.

In Sialkot, police raided the houses of PTI leaders Firdous Ashiq Awan and Usman Dar to arrest them but they were not present at their residences at the time of police raid.

Police also reached the Lal Havaili, the residence of Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, to arrest Sheikh Rashid and his nephew MNA Rashid Shafique but police returned empty handed as both the leaders were not present there.

Police also raided former provincial law minister Raja Bisharat residence but he was not present there. Raja Bisharat in a video message after the police raid said that the PTI long march cannot be stopped.

Police also reached the residence of PTI leader Babar Awan in Islamabad and returned empty handed after questioning his servants.

Crackdown against PTI leaders, workers to push country into a state of anarchy: Imran

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, while reacting to police raids in Punjab and federal capital Islamabad, said that that these fascist steps of the government will push the country into a state of anarchy, Dunya News reported.

Imran Khan in his messages of Twitter said that the peaceful protest is the right of all our citizens. The brutal crackdown on PTI leaders and workers in Punjab and Islamabad has once again shown us what we are familiar with -- the fascist nature of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) when in power.