Islamabad: In a series of coordinated overnight raids, police arrested numerous members and leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) across several cities, in anticipation of a planned protest at Islamabad’s D-Chowk following Friday prayers.
In Lahore, police conducted operations at over 60 locations, detaining 110 individuals associated with PTI and JI, including a notable raid on the house of JI Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch, who is currently in Islamabad for the protest. Two workers from the house of Liaquat Baloch were arrested. In a related move, the police detained participants from the JI’s procession from PP-169 on the motorway as they headed towards the Islamabad sit-in.
Further actions included the raiding of PTI Lahore President Chaudhry Asghar Gujjar’s residence, locking the property in his absence. In other Punjab cities, including Hasanabdal and Sargodha, police targeted the homes of JI leaders, arresting several activists.
These extensive police operations come amid heightened tensions between law enforcement and opposition parties, with PTI and JI planning demonstrations against various issues, including the arrest of PTI’s founder and high inflation. JI is also protesting against rising electricity bills and new taxes imposed in the 2024-25 budget.
In response, Islamabad authorities have imposed Section 144 and sealed the city’s entrance and exit routes with containers, particularly around sensitive areas such as the Red Zone and major junctions like D-Chowk, to prevent the protests. The road closures have caused significant disruption for citizens.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription
