Twin cities paralysed by security measures amid protest at D-Chowk

Islamabad: The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad were effectively sealed off, isolated from the rest of the country, following a protest call by the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other party leaders against the recent decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Heavy contingents of law enforcement agencies, including the police, Rangers, and constabulary units, were deployed at sensitive entry and exit points across the twin cities to prevent any untoward incidents during the protests.

Security in the Red Zone, particularly around the Diplomatic Enclave and other high-security areas, was significantly heightened to maintain peace and order. The law enforcement agencies in Rawalpindi and Islamabad imposed widespread road closures in response to the escalating law and order situation, causing severe traffic disruptions across major thoroughfares. Containers were placed on key routes, and the City Traffic Police issued warnings advising residents to avoid these areas.

In Islamabad, major routes such as New Margalla Road Turn (GT Road), Sangjani Toll Plaza, Water Tank Margalla Road, New Margalla Loop (Old Margalla Road near F-10/2), Chungi No. 26, Zero Point, Khayaban Chowk, Faisal Chowk, Bari Imam T-Cross, Express Chowk, Serena Hotel Chowk, Secretariat Metro Station, Rawat T-Chowk, Khanna Pul, Taramri Chowk, Murree Road Bridge near the Traffic Office, Faizabad, Ninth Avenue, Golra Mor Haji Camp Chowk, Motorway Old Toll Plaza, Tarnol Phattak, Chuhr Chowk, and Peshawar Morr Flyover were blocked by containers.

Similarly, in Rawalpindi, the City Traffic Police closed major roads by placing containers at Faizabad, Murree Road, Faizul Islam, Stadium Road, Double Road, Sixth Road Chowk, Chandni Chowk, C-Block Chowk, Khanna Pul, Sahi Chowk, Naz Cinema, Kohati Bazaar Morr, Liaquat Bagh, DAV College Chowk, Mareer Chowk, and MH Chowk.

However, alternative routes were provided, including Kacheri Chowk to Koral (via Old Airport Road), Sawan Bridge (with single-lane traffic), and Khawaja Corporation. Despite these arrangements, certain critical junctions, such as T-Chowk Rawat, Margalla Turn (Pirwadhai), Khayaban, Shah Najaf, Carriage Factory, Chungi No. 26, Naka, Cheering Cross, Dhama Seydan, Chak Beli Morr, Rawat, Mandra Morr, Masa Kaswal, GT Road Gujar Khan, and GT Road Chakwal, remained fully closed. Koral Chowk was intermittently opened depending on the evolving situation. The continued road closures and blockades are causing significant inconvenience to residents and commuters, as the security measures remain in place to manage the ongoing protests.