Sunday 24 November 2024
Islamabad (news international / Pakistan News - 24th November, 2024 ) According to reports received till Sunday afternoon, hundreds of workers were arrested from different cities and areas of Punjab province including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Pakpattan, Chunian and Dera Ghazi Khan, while in Multan, police have also taken into custody PTI leaders Aamir Dogar, Zain Qureshi and Moin Riaz.
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In Pakistan, former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called on protesters from across the country to reach Islamabad on Sunday. The aim of this protest has been said to be the release of all arrested PTI leaders including Imran Khan and the return of the “stolen” electoral mandate.
The Punjab government has banned protests across the province under Article 144.
Strictest measures to stop protests in Punjab
The Punjab government has taken strictest measures to stop this protest. All routes to Islamabad in Lahore have been blocked with containers. All bus stands have also been closed, while armed police personnel have been deployed on all routes used for entering and leaving Lahore city.
Lahore’s metro train has also been closed for two days. All important places in the city, including Niazi Chowk, Shahdara Chowk, Babu Sabu Interchange, Imamia Colony, Thokar Niaz Baig and Sagian Bridge, have been sealed. The Azadi Flyover is also closed for traffic in both directions. Traffic is not allowed to pass through the old Ravi Bridge in the city.
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In Lahore, police have set up checkpoints at various places including Liberty Chowk, Mall Road, Multan Road and Ferozepur Road, and young motorcyclists are being stopped and questioned.
Vehicles carrying prisoners and water cannons are also seen near the police checkpoints.
Passengers' complaints
Commuters are facing severe problems due to the closure of the lorry depot in Lahore. A man named Muhammad Abbas said that he had come to Lahore for a meeting in his office and is now stuck here. The passenger told DW, "There is no way out of the city.
It is also not known when the motorway will open."
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A young man named Hasnain, who was present at Babu Sabu, said that he is getting married today Sunday night and he has to travel on the motorway from his house in Gulshan-e-Ravi to a nearby village with a procession.
According to Hasnain, "No way is open. I have come to find out the routes. A police officer present here even jokingly told me that now your procession can only go by helicopter.”
On the other hand, Pakistan Railways has also stopped all trains going from major cities of Punjab to Rawalpindi and Islamabad and has also canceled previously confirmed tickets.
PTI leader’s stance
Talking to DW, a local PTI leader and former candidate for National Assembly membership from Lahore, Rana Javed Umar Khan, said that the departure of protest convoys was first announced from Ravi Chowk in the city, but this location was changed late at night.
Rana Javed said that if PTI workers are not allowed to leave Lahore, then they will protest in Lahore and try to reach Islamabad after the road is opened.
He said, “About 1500 PTI workers were arrested in Lahore alone in a week. Some of them have returned on bail and some have been released by the police after taking money.
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Meanwhile, PTI workers have started coming out in groups in different areas of Lahore.
They are also being confronted by the police in many places. In response to a question, Rana Javed Umar Khan said that less common people and more workers are participating in this protest, "We had shifted them to safe places several days ago, from where they have now come out to protest."
'The path of dialogue will have to be adopted'
Analyst Salman Abid told DW that the state has decided that the PTI has to deal with force.
In his opinion, the experience of controlling political parties by force has failed in the past during the eras of Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif and Benazir. "Therefore, if Pakistan's political, economic and defense issues are to be taken forward, then the government will have to adopt the path of dialogue with the PTI."
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According to Salman Abid, the government may be happy that it has succeeded in preventing PTI protestors from reaching D-Chowk in Islamabad, however, "the message that has been given at the global level regarding road closures, crackdowns on political activists and human rights violations is not good for Pakistan.
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Meanwhile, internet service has also been suspended in various parts of Pakistan, including Punjab province, while in some places, making calls from mobile phones has become either impossible or very difficult.
In addition, internet access via mobile phones has also been suspended in many areas, while many users complained that they faced difficulties in downloading audio and video content.
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