Internet restored, roads and motorways reopen as PTI protest ends

As per the announcement of Interior Minister Moshin Naqvi, internet services have been restored, and motorways, national highways, and roads across the country, including twin cities, have been opened after ending the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest on Wednesday morning.

According to the 24NewsHD TV Channel, motorways have also been opened, while schools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi will open tomorrow (Thursday). 

All the roads in Punjab cities and the Grand Trunk Road (GT Road) have also opened on the direction of the Punjab Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif. In her statement, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz thanked the people of Punjab for not supporting sedition and anarchists. 

Earlier today, Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi said on Wednesday that internet services would be restored in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad today, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel.

Speaking to the media after a successful operation by the law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) against the PTI protestors, Naqvi said the metro bus service would also resume today while all roads, which had been closed in view of the protest, would also be opened today. “However, schools in the twin cities will open tomorrow,” he added. 

The minister expressed the hope that today would be a new day. “For how long will you keep doing all this? Please stop it now,” he said to the PTI. 

He, on the occasion, also thanked the Pakistan Army, the Punjab Police, the Pakistan Rangers, and FC for launching a successful crackdown. 

Informing that the government had taken a decision about the Afghan nationals, he said he would soon share it with the media. 

After a ruthless crackdown by the LEAs, nowhere in the federal capital could PTI workers be seen in groups, as most of them were arrested while others managed to escape.

The Jinnah Avenue leading to the D-Chowk, which had remained off-limits for traffic for the last three days, was finally opened.

However, contingents of the police and Pakistan Rangers were still present at the site till last reports came in.

Motorways opened for traffic

On the other hand, all sections of the motorway, including M2, M11, and M4 and M5 in the south of Punjab, which had been closed on November 22 on the pretext of maintenance and repair work, were opened for traffic, while all routes entering and exiting from Lahore namely Ravi Bridge, Old Ravi Bridge, Sagian Ravi Bridge and Thokar Niaz Beg as well as the Ring Road were also opened.

Vehicles were plying in the Punjab capital, including on Raiwind, Ferozepur and Gajumata roads, as per routine. 

All roads of Wazirabad and Gujrat were also opened.

Barricades were removed from Chenab Toll Plaza and from various other roads of the GT Road.

Likewise, all roads in Wazirabad were also opened after a gap of six days.

Jhelum Bridge also opened 

The Jhelum Bridge was also opened for all kinds of traffic after heavy machinery arrived from Sara-i-Alamgir to remove containers and barricades.

Reporters: Hashir Warraich, Rozeena Ali, Rana Faran Yameen and Sagheer Rathore and Hassan Malik