Islamabad: Pakistani authorities on Friday sealed major roads leading to the capital and suspended mobile internet services to prevent a protest march by the hardline religious group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
The TLP had announced a march in Islamabad to protest against the killings in Gaza — a move that coincided ironically with a ceasefire in the region.
In response, the Ministry of Interior directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suspend mobile internet in Islamabad and Rawalpindi indefinitely from midnight. The ministry also placed shipping containers on key routes to block entry into the capital.
Police sources confirmed that both internal and external routes of the city, along with mobile internet access, have been closed as part of security measures against the planned demonstration.
Ahead of the protest, Punjab Police raided the TLP headquarters in Lahore on Wednesday in an attempt to arrest the party’s chief, sparking violent clashes that left several injured.
In a related move, the Rawalpindi district administration imposed Section 144 until October 11, banning all kinds of gatherings, rallies, processions, and sit-ins. The use of loudspeakers has also been prohibited.
A notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema stated that the restrictions were necessary due to the potential threat of violence near sensitive locations.
Heavy police contingents equipped with riot gear have been deployed at major entry points of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The Red Zone, which houses key government offices and diplomatic missions, has been completely sealed off.
The TLP, a far-right Sunni Islamist group, first gained national prominence in 2017 when it staged a major protest that forced the government to roll back changes to the lawmakers’ oath, solidifying its reputation for leveraging street power.
