Imran Khan defers today's PTI rally in Islamabad to next month

Following the restrictions applied by the government, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has postponed the rally that was scheduled to take place in Islamabad at Tarnol today (Thursday) at 4 pm. 

According to 24NewsHD TV channel, PTI founder Imran Khan called the party's senior member and former minister, Azam Swati, personally to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi and directed him to announce the postponement of the rally.

As per the directives of the PTI founder, Azam Swati, along with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, announed outside the Adiala Jail the deferment of the today's rally. 

The PTI leaders also announced that the party's public meeting will now be held on September 8th at the same place in Tarnol, Islamabad.

All the motorways leading to Islamabad which were shut down in the morning later were reopened for traiffic. The restrictions on movement in the federal capital were also relaxed after the deferment of the PTI rally.

Red Zone sealed in Islamabad

Earlier, following the administration’s refusal to grant permission to the PTI to hold a rally at Tarnol in Islamabad today, containers were placed at different points in the federal capital to prevent the entry of the party workers while the Red Zone where important government buildings are situated, has been completely sealed.

On the other hand, the deputy commissioner has ordered the closure of schools, government and private, citing security concerns.

In this connection, Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi chaired a meeting last night in which he made it clear that the government would not allow any PTI worker to enter the Red Zone. “Ensuring peace is our topmost priority. If anyone tries to take the law into his own hands, the law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) will swing into action,” he said.

Admitting that it was every political party’s right to protest, the minister, however, in the same breath added that it should be held at an appropriate place. “The protest should not disrupt people’s routine life,” Naqvi said, adding, “Saving the lives and properties of citizens is the government’s top priority.”    

Different routes leading to Islamabad closed

In this connection, different roads leading to the federal capital have also been closed for the traffic so that the PTI workers could be prevented from entering the city. 

Lahore to Islamabad section of the motorway has been closed at different points namely Ravi Toll Plaza; Thokar Niaz Beg and Babu Sabu where heavy police contingents have also been deployed to avert any unpleasant situation.

The motorway has also been closed at Kot Sarwar, Sial Morr, Lillah, Chakri, Pind Dadan Khan, Sheikhupura and Kalar Kahar (M-II).

Similarly, the section of the motorway from Lahore to Sialkot and from Peshawar to Islamabad has also been closed.

Likewise, containers have also been placed at different spots on the GT Road namely Mandra, Taxila, Rawat and Margalla in order to foil the PTI’s plans to hold a public gathering.

Interior Minister Naqvi reviews law and order situation

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi presided over a high-level meeting to review law and order late at night.

In the meeting, the situation of public order was reviewed in detail.

Addressing the meeting Interior Minister said that maintaining public order is our first priority. “Can't allow anyone to enter the red zone”, Mohsin Naqvi said.

He said it is everyone's right to protest but the protest should be at a suitable place and the protest should not disturb the daily routine of the people.

Mohsin Naqvi said protection of life and property of people is the first responsibility of the government.

For the life and property of the people, enforcement of the law will be ensured, Mohsin Naqvi said.

Mohsin Naqvi said that the law will act against those who take the law into their hands.

Reporters: Awais Kiyani, Mian Mazhar and Mehar Ali