Lahore in a tight spot as PTI bent on holding gathering despite roadblocks
Pakistan
Rangers have been deployed alongside Punjab police to ensure safety of citizens
Police claim to have arrested 2,500 PTI workers ahead of Lahore event
All motorways connecting Lahore and other cities have been closed
Section 144 has been challenged in Lahore High Court
LAHORE (Dunya News) - In its desperate bid to stop the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers from registering their protest on the call of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, the Punjab government on Saturday followed the suit of the federal government by placing containers at several places in Lahore.
On the one hand, the adamant PTI workers have resolved to reach Minar-e-Pakistan despite all odds and, on the other hand, the Punjab government has sealed all roads leading to the provincial capital.
Railway station, Minar-e-Pakistan ground and general bus stand in Lahore have been turned into no-go areas for the PTI workers as the government has placed containers on all routes leading to these areas.
Rangers have also been deployed alongside Punjab police to maintain law and order, and ensure safety of the citizens.
Earlier, police claimed to have arrested 2,500 PTI workers on Friday night after the administration declared them miscreants. The city administration ordered arrest of around 1,600 workers and supporters of the PTI.
MOTORWAYS CLOSED
Meanwhile, all motorways connecting Lahore and other cities have been closed.
Babu Sabu Interchange, Thokar Niaz Baig and other entry points in Lahore have been sealed after being cordoned off with containers. The Lahore-Sialkot Motorway access roads have also been barricaded.
SECTION 144 IN FOUR CITIES
The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 in Rawalpindi, Attock and Sargodha from Oct 4 to Oct 6 while banning all sorts of political rallies, sit-ins and protests.
In Lahore, Section 144 has been imposed from Oct 3 to 8.
The Home Department spokesperson said any public gathering could be a soft target for the terrorists, adding that orders had been issued for the safety of citizens, property and ensuring law and order situation.
A day earlier (Friday), Section 144 was challenged in the Lahore High Court by a citizen, Najiullah. The applicant has pleaded that imposition of Section 144 is unconstitutional and illegal, adding that constitution guarantees right of protest to citizens.
He has demanded lifting of Section 144 in Lahore by the court.
