Police arrest JI workers in Islamabad

Islamabad:  Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) claimed that around 1,150 of its activists were detained across various cities while attempting to march to Islamabad to protest against rising inflation.

JI's protest targets the recent sharp increase in electricity prices, while PTI's nationwide demonstrations are focused on calling for the release of its founder, Imran Khan, and other detained leaders.

The federal capital has been heavily fortified with containers, effectively cutting it off from nearby Rawalpindi and surrounding areas.

The strict security measures, including road blockades, have been implemented to prevent protest gatherings, leading to significant traffic disruptions across the city.

Section 144 remains in effect in both Punjab and the federal capital, banning assemblies, processions, and protests ahead of planned opposition rallies.

Law enforcement personnel have been deployed throughout Islamabad to ensure compliance with the restrictions, and citizens are advised to avoid participating in unauthorized activities.

Several JI members were arrested by the Islamabad police while attempting to gather at D-Chowk in defiance of Section 144. Additional arrests occurred in Lahore as protesters attempted to march towards the capital.

In response to the restrictions and arrests, JI's Rawalpindi Emir Arif Sherazi announced that the sit-in would be relocated to Liaquat Bagh instead of D-Chowk, where it will continue until the party’s demands are met. JI Emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, leading a march from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is expected to join the protest at Liaquat Bagh.

Rawalpindi Central Police Officer Khalid Mahmood Hamdani stated that JI was granted permission to hold a rally at Liaquat Bagh under certain conditions. He assured that the situation remained peaceful and warned that any attempts to disrupt it would not be tolerated.

Addressing the protestors at I-8 Islamabad, Hafiz Naeem declared that the protest was a fight for the people's rights and called for the release of detained JI members. He emphasized that the sit-in was only beginning and vowed that the protesters would remain until their demands were met.

Roads from Rawalpindi to Islamabad were blocked with containers as JI protesters attempted to enter the capital.

The police deployed at the Faizabad interchange managed the incoming protesters, while roads leading to Parliament House from D-Chowk were blocked with barricades.

 Traffic continued to flow without major disruptions, and protesters at these locations were either dispersed or detained.

The authorities stated that protests in the Red Zone are not permitted due to its sensitive nature.