Jamat-e-Islami has announced to hold a sit-in protest at D-Chowk while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called for nationwide protests in response to recent increase in electricity and inflation.
ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-July 26th, 2024) The Punjab government and the authorities in Islamabad have imposed Section 144 and blocked roads by placing containers amid Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamat-e-Islami (JI) protests against inflation in the country.
The PTI and JI have announced countrywide protests on Friday (today).
Jamaat-i-Islami planned to hold a sit-in protest at D-Chowk while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf called for nationwide protests in response to recent increases in electricity bills and rising inflation.
Key intersections in the Red Zone, including D-Chowk, Nadra Chowk, and Sarina Chowk, have been blocked with containers to prevent access.
Section 144 Imposed in Punjab and Islamabad
Both the Federal and Punjab governments implemented Section 144 in Punjab and Islamabad in response to the planned protests by PTI and JI. According to the official notification, Section 144 will be enforced from July 26 to July 28.
The Home Department's notification states that rallies, sit-ins, and protests are banned during this period due to terrorism threats, noting that public gatherings could be vulnerable to militant attacks.
Jamaat-i-Islami's Secretary General Ameer-ul-Azeem reported that police have conducted raids on the homes of JI leaders in various cities. He accused the police of targeting JI leaders and activists to disrupt their demonstration, citing numerous incidents of raids, arrests, and mistreatment of women.
On Thursday, Jamaat-i-Islami Amir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman warned the government that it would be held accountable if the party is obstructed from entering Islamabad for their protest against the increase in electricity prices and inflation.
Rehman emphasized that the party advocates for peaceful political resistance to uphold public rights. "We are not deterred by the prospect of arrests, and Jamaat-e-Islami cannot be stopped," he asserted.
He highlighted that the sit-in on July 26 will represent the voice of the nation and urged the administration to facilitate the protest. "We welcome any political party that wishes to join us," he added.
Ahead of the sit-in, the police in Punjab and Rawalpindi raided the homes of JI leaders and officials, arresting several individuals.
The police raided the residence of JI’s central Secretary-General Ameerul Azim but did not arrest him, instead of taking his driver, Shaukat Mahmood, into custody.
