- The State “will not be subjected to the blackmail of the crowd”: Talal Chaudhry.
- The minister says containers have been placed in the capital to protect people.
- Talal questions the justification for TLP protests despite the Gaza deal.
ISLAMABAD: Authorities suspended cellular internet in Islamabad and Rawalpindi as Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) continued its march towards the federal capital on Friday.
“The Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control has given approval to suspend 3G/4G services in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, from midnight until further orders,” said the notification issued by the Ministry of Interior on Thursday.
The ministry has asked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to take “necessary further measures” in coordination with the Islamabad commissioner, IGP office, Rawalpindi commissioner and RPO office.
The notification comes as the federal government has intensified its efforts to prevent the TLP from marching towards the capital.
Addressing a press conference, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the government was making efforts to prevent the TLP’s planned march to Islamabad through peaceful means, asserting that the state “would not be subjected to mob blackmail”.
Chaudhry questioned the rationale for the march, noting that Palestinians are celebrating the recent peace deal in Gaza.
“The main party involved is the Palestinians, and they are celebrating the recent peace agreement,” he said.
“What is the purpose of this demonstration despite a resolution of the question of Palestine and Gaza?” » asked the minister.
Chaudhry maintained that the federal government had implemented preventive measures and would not tolerate “blackmail and politics of demands”.
Accusing the TLP of exploiting sensitive issues for political gain, the minister said the party had been involved in attacks on public properties in the past.
“The government will not let these crowds and these protests move forward,” he added.
Meanwhile, authorities have placed containers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi in light of the TLP’s planned march towards the federal capital.
In his statement, Chaudhry said containers had been placed in Islamabad to “protect people from miscreants”.
In Punjab, authorities imposed Section 144 of the CrPC across the province, banning display of weapons and prohibiting public gatherings.
As per a notification issued by the Punjab Home Department, a ban has been imposed on rallies, processions and sit-ins under section 144 to maintain law and order in the province.
