In light of the PTI protest at Minar-e-Pakistan, all roads leading to the monument and entry points into the city have been completely sealed off with containers. To prevent the protest, water was released at Minar-e-Pakistan, and police arrested several PTI workers, including a female worker and lawyers.
All entry and exit routes to Lahore have been blocked with dozens of containers, with Babu Sabu, Thokar Niaz Baig, and Shahdara being among the locations sealed. Additionally, the motorway has been completely closed to traffic.
The roads leading to the Sharif family’s residence on Jati Umrah Road have also been blocked, and over 200 police officers have been deployed at various points around Adda Plot. The routes leading to the PML-N office in Model Town have also been closed.
Later, police arrested PTI lawyers and several workers protesting at GPO Chowk. Additionally, dozens of PTI workers, including a female worker, were arrested at Minar-e-Pakistan. The woman had managed to cross all security barriers and reach the Minar-e-Pakistan bridge, where she was arrested by the police.
PTI workers and lawyers also protested on Mall Road in Lahore, but police arrested the protesting PTI lawyers.
Reports indicate that PTI workers pelted stones at police officers outside Aiwan-e-Adl, prompting the police to disperse the protesters using tear gas. One officer, Bilal, sustained serious injuries to his head and eye due to the stone-pelting.
Army deployed in Lahore
The government has called nine companies of Rangers for duty in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Attock on Saturday, and now the army has also been deployed in the provincial capital.
After Islamabad, the army has been called to Punjab due to the law and order situation, with an official notification issued for the deployment.
According to the notification from the Ministry of Interior, the army will be stationed at airports, airbases, and other important locations within Punjab, and they are authorized to use anti-riot measures to maintain peace.
The Punjab Home Department further stated that military personnel would fire warning shots into the air to disperse troublemakers.
It is worth noting that PTI had announced a protest at Minar-e-Pakistan today at 2 PM.
Following PTI’s protest call in Lahore, the police became active, preparing a plan to prevent workers from reaching the protest, and hundreds of arrests have been made in this regard.
On the other hand, regarding the release of water at Greater Iqbal Park at Minar-e-Pakistan, the PHA (Parks and Horticulture Authority) clarified that the water was released as part of routine lawn care, and reports linking it to the protest are incorrect.
It is important to mention that PTI’s central leadership had instructed its Lahore chapter to avoid attending Friday’s protest at D-Chowk, Islamabad, to ensure their presence at Minar-e-Pakistan.
PTI Punjab's acting president, Hammad Azhar, expressed hope in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the people of Lahore would come out in large numbers to reject the alleged fascism of the current government.
Section 144 imposed
The Punjab government had already imposed Section 144 in Lahore, Mianwali, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, and Attock, banning all political gatherings, rallies, and protests.
Section 144 will remain in effect in Lahore until October 8, in Mianwali until October 7, and in Rawalpindi, Sargodha, and Attock until October 6. Additionally, a ban on pillion riding has been imposed in Rawalpindi and Attock on Friday and Saturday.
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