All roads to Rawalpindi closed after PTI workers clash with police

Rawalpindi: In a bid to prevent PTI workers gathering at Liaquat Bagh, the Rawalpindi police blocked all the major roads leading to the city. 

PTI has announced Liaquat Bagh as the venue for the protest, which was earlier planned to be a rally. However, the PTI founder changed the decision, saying that the government would not allow his party to hold the event in the city and designate a venue in the suburbs.

In an attempt to thwart PTI’s protest, the provincial government has banned all public gatherings and stationed paramilitary forces in Rawalpindi.

Dawn.com correspondents present on the scene today reported that police placed containers at the Faizabad interchange, Double Road and Saddar, while Islamabad police blocked the Islamabad motorway at Hakla.

The garrison city’s main Muree road, which is a commercial hub, is closed due to the presence of police and blockaded roads.

The Rawalpindi Police posted on social media that security is on high alert and Section 144 is in force in Rawalpindi.

“Illegal assembly or rally is not allowed at any place, legal action will be taken in case of violation,” the post said. “Violators of law and order will be dealt with with iron hands.”

The police added that they led a flag march in the garrison city to “ensure the rule of law”, with the march passing along Rawal Road, Murree Road, Mall Road, Chauhar Chowk and the motorway.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Kamran Asghar reached Liaquat Bagh with the flag march, where a large contingent of police personnel has been deployed.

Former provincial minister and senior PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai told Dawn.com that the Punjab police had blocked the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway at Hazara interchange, halting the entry of PTI workers. He added that police fired tear gas shells at the PTI supporters.