The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf is prepared to hold its long march in Rawalpindi today (Saturday). The Islamabad government has resolved to deal with the demonstrators harshly if they enter the federal capital.
The Islamabad police are perfectly equipped to handle the PTI-long march participants with an iron fist. Tear gas and rubber bullet pistols have been handed by the administration to the security forces.
The CTI government has also added two more months to the ban on keeping and displaying weapons in public locations.
On the other hand, containers have been erected to block off the Murree Road that leads to Faizabad.
However, travelers might go via the Old Airport and Shamsabad routes to reach Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Traffic Alert! 7:00 AM
Rawat T Cross
Diversion placed for traffic moving from Rawat T Cross to Rawalpindi Peshawar Road.Traffic From Rawat T Cross can enter Islamabad (1 Row is Open).
Koral
Traffic From Islamabad Expressway to RWP can use old airport road (1 Row is open)
⬇️— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) November 26, 2022
The Islamabad police on Friday has rejected the PTI request to allow PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s helicopter to land at Parade Ground.
The Islamabad deputy commissioner said that the administration did not receive an official undertaking, that’s why it did not allow the landing of the PTI chopper.
Special lift being installed on stage for Imran
Meanwhile, a special lift has been installed for PTI Chairman Imran Khan to reach the stage.
After Islamabad administration refused to allow Imran’s helicopter to land at Parade Ground, the PTI chief’s chopper would land at Arid Agriculture University in Rawalpindi.
According to metro bus administration, the Metro Bus Service will remain suspended today.
Rallies start reaching Rawalpindi
PTI leader Asad Umar tweeted today that convoys from many areas of Pakistan have reached and many are reaching Pindi. In Sha Allah, it will be a historical gathering.
PTI leader Dr Yasmeen Rashid is leading a rally of the party from Lahore. Her caravan is heading towards Rawalpindi.
A caravan consisting of hundreds of vehicles under the leadership of Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid has reached Murree Road through Sadr.
The PTI GB rally has entered the limits of Rawalpindi and soon it will reach the venue of public meeting.
Another rally under the leadership of Pervaiz Khattak will depart from Peshawar toll plaza to participate in the Haqeeqi Azadi March.
The PTI workers have started assembling at the toll plaza and soon the procession would start its march towards Rawalpindi.
Doctors to accompany Imran Khan to Pindi
A team of doctors will accompany PTI Chairman Imran Khan to Rawalpindi where the party is staging a power show today.
Imran Khan will depart from his residence in Lahore’s Zaman Park at 1:00 pm amid tight security.
Sources disclosed that the PTI chief will take off for Rawalpindi in a helicopter from Lahore’s Old Airport.
A team of doctors will carefully examine Imran Khan before his departure from Lahore.
Imran Khan is keeping an eye on the long march developments from his Zaman Park residence and will contact PTI leaders for consultations.
Mega stage ready for long march
A huge stage has been prepared in Rawalpindi from where the PTI leaders including Imran Khan will address the long march participants, sources said.
The stage is 80 feet wide, 40 feet long and 20 feet high. A 200 feet long ramp was also arranged for Imran Khan.
Two parking points have been set up for marchers – one is located at Civil Aviation Authority’s ground on Rawal Road and the other is located at Degree College on Fifth Road.
The caravans travelling through Islamabad and coming from the GT Road will use Rawal Road parking.
The convoys coming through Motorway will reach the long march site by travelling on IJP Road through Fifth Road.
Bomb disposal squad
A team of bomb disposal squad reached the site of PTI’s long march in Rawalpindi and started screening of the area.
The personnel were using sniffer dogs and other modern equipment for the screening.
Rana Sanaullah’s last-minute appeal
While addressing a presser on Friday, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah advised PTI chief Imran Khan to postpone his party’s long march in Rawalpindi on November 26 as there are threats of suicide attacks in the public gathering.
Rana Sanaullah further said that the government had sent a letter to PTI leader Asad Umar, detailing the threats to the PTI long march in Rawalpindi tomorrow. “According to the agencies’ reports, Imran Khan is in danger and can become a victim of any possible terrorist activity in the meeting, he added. Interior Minister further stated said that if PTI leader Asad Umar wanted to verify the threats, he could verify from the agencies.
Sanaullah said that Imran Khan’s march aimed at destroying Pakistan politically and economically. Imran Khan has still time to postpone the public gathering as he could not get anything from the march, he hinted.
He said that the PTI long march has lost its effectiveness now and Imran Khan would not get a date for the elections now. “The establishment did not get you an election date as the establishment would not be bow before your blackmailing anymore, he added.
Sanaullah advised Imran Khan for becoming a mature politician and said to meet his fellows like Zardari, Fazlur Rehman, Akhtar Mengal, Khalid Magsi, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and discuss the elections with them. “You can even meet Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, they won’t refuse,” he added.
The Interior Minister again asked PTI Imran to come back to the parliament so that the country can move forward. “If Imran Khan failed to do so, he would be considered responsible for everything including inflation, economic disaster, and political turmoil in the country,” he added.
He also discouraged people from attending the march, saying it was not a movement for “Haqeeqi Azadi but to create instability in the country”.
