Mobile internet services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi remained blocked, after the Interior Ministry notified the suspension of 3G and 4G services from midnight on October 9 until 10 p.m., as Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) prepared for its anti-Israel protest on Friday.
Yesterday (Thursday), Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, outside the US Embassy, said that the TLP had not sought permission to hold its ‘Million Ya Aqsa March’ outside the US Embassy in the federal capital.
The government still allows peaceful protests and marches, he said, terming the speeches of TLP leaders inflammatory and abusive in nature, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
“The Palestinian people do not want slogans; they want peace. They want their homeland. Such so-called demonstrations, such speeches are not necessary,” the state minister said.
Hamas and Israel signed a ceasefire deal on Thursday in which Israeli captives will be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in a first phase, in line with U.S. Donald Trump’s 20-part initiative to end the war in Gaza. Islamabad presented Trump’s plan as a “historic opportunity” for lasting peace in the Middle East.
Earlier in the day, the Jamaat-i-Islami organized a student rally in solidarity with Palestine and the people of Gaza near the Faisal Mosque and permission was granted, Chaudhry said, addressing the press conference.
Article 144 imposed
Section 144 was imposed in Rawalpindi and Islamabad from October 8 to 11, effectively banning public gatherings, processions, dharnas and assemblies. Additionally, a ban on boarding, taking speakers and making inflammatory public speeches. The Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) enforced the ban on mobile data services in coordination with commissioners, district administration and police.
Read: Section 144 imposed in Rawalpindi ahead of TLP rally
“Under no circumstances will anyone be allowed to take law into their own hands or block roads. Any violent activity under the guise of protest will be dealt with firmly,” Rawalpindi Central Police Officer (CPO) Khalid Hamdani said.
Red zone sealed off
The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) sealed off the city’s red zone ahead of the TLP rally, with over 70 containers deployed at major entry points to the federal capital, including the Faizabad Interchange.
Police personnel have been ordered to seal off both the Red Zone and the Extended Red Zone, while metropolitan bus services have been suspended until today (Friday).
Universities in the twin cities remained closed, citing law and order concerns, with the district administration ordering government and private schools to declare a public holiday.
Police repression
On Thursday, the police decided to arrest the leader of the TLP, Saad Rizvi, by carrying out a crackdown against the headquarters of the political and religious party.
TLP supporters responded by attacking police with iron bars and stones, injuring at least three police officers. Police fired tear gas at party members and supporters in response to the ensuing clashes on Multan Road.
Gas masks, chemicals and other supplies were also seized from TLP workers, the interior minister said, addressing the news conference later in the day. The party intended to use them during the rally, Chaudhry added.
Earlier, on Wednesday evening, TLP issued a statement saying a number of its workers had been arrested during searches of their homes.
Police said a large number of party supporters reached Lahore and took up positions in temporary shelters. According to the police, these elements launched attacks against groups of police officers as they headed towards the TLP headquarters.
