"Heightened security, road closures, and discovery of explosive materials as PTI prepares for rally in Islamabad"

Routes to the red zone have been sealed, with alternate routes provided for public convenience. Police have been instructed to fully equip personnel on duty and prohibit the use of mobile phones during working hours.

ISLAMABAD: On Sunday, the Islamabad administration heightened security and blocked several roads leading to the federal capital as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepares for a public rally in Sangjani today.

Officials instructed police officers to remain within their assigned jurisdictions, ensure their teams are fully equipped, and strictly prohibit mobile phone use during duty.

Meanwhile, a suspicious bag was found near the PTI rally site, containing a hand grenade, detonator, electric wires, and other explosives, according to police. The bomb disposal squad is on-site, and an investigation is underway.

To enhance security, large contingents of police, rangers, and paramilitary forces will be stationed at the rally venue and throughout Islamabad. These forces are on alert for any potential unrest, officials told The News.

After the local administration revoked PTI’s no-objection certificate and sealed roads to the capital on August 22, PTI postponed its rally and rescheduled it for September 8 (today). PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan confirmed the new date following a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan in Adiala jail.

Containers placed at key points:
To maintain order, containers have been placed at strategic locations to limit traffic movement. All routes to the red zone are sealed, with only authorized personnel allowed through Margalla Road. Other arteries, including Chongi No. 26 and GT Road Taxila, are also closed.

Road closures, including on Islamabad Expressway, Faizabad, Khanna Pull, and Rawat T Chowk, have caused significant inconvenience for residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, despite alternate routes being provided. Police have been stationed along these alternate paths.

Additionally, metro bus services from Rawalpindi Saddar Station to Pak Secretariat have been suspended due to the PTI rally, as directed by district authorities.

To prevent unrest during the rally, law enforcement agencies and the district administration have decided to isolate the rally venue from the rest of the capital, officials revealed.

At the rally site, organizers faced challenges setting up chairs due to the rough terrain, marked by sand mounds and pits. Despite these obstacles, preparations are nearly complete, and the rally is expected to start in the afternoon.

Bill passed to regulate rallies in Islamabad:
In a related development, President Asif Ali Zardari signed a new law regulating public assemblies in Islamabad a day before the rally. The "Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024" now empowers the district magistrate to regulate or ban public gatherings in the capital, with penalties of up to three years in prison or fines for participants in "unlawful assemblies." Repeat offenders could face up to 10 years in prison.

Under the law, police officers can disperse gatherings deemed a threat to public peace at the magistrate's direction. PTI leaders have since requested that their rally not be obstructed, as they had previously secured a no-objection certificate from local authorities.