Capital’s Red Zone Sealed Ahead of PTI and JI Protests Against Inflation and Power Tariffs
Islamabad — In anticipation of protests organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), authorities have sealed the capital’s red zone using containers. The opposition parties are protesting against rising power tariffs, inflated electricity bills, and calling for the release of PTI leader Imran Khan.
JI has also planned a sit-in at Islamabad’s D-Chowk, while Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) is organizing nationwide demonstrations against increasing inflation.
To prevent the protests, authorities have closed routes leading to the federal capital. Heavy contingents of police are stationed at all entry and exit points of the city. Additionally, the Faizabad interchange, which connects Rawalpindi to Islamabad, has been blocked with heavy barriers.
Containers have been placed on the link roads from Lahore and Peshawar to the motorway, causing significant traffic disruptions and long queues. In a preemptive move ahead of the JI sit-in, Punjab police conducted raids in various cities, arresting several leaders and activists. JI leader Ahmad Salman Baloch reported that police raided the home of Liaquat Baloch, the party’s deputy emir, and arrested two individuals, though Liaquat Baloch was not present at the time.
The situation remains tense as authorities and protesters prepare for the upcoming demonstrations.