Web Desk (LTN NEWS): Workers and supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) crowded the area around Liaquat Bagh and Murree Road before party leader Imran Khan came to the city on Sunday to speak at a rally.
But the closing of big markets in Gawalmandi, Murree Road, and DAV College Road caused a lot of trouble for people who normally went shopping there. Several detours also messed up the flow of traffic.
Security guards blocked off all roads leading to the venue with containers and other barriers. Walk-through gates were put up at all entry points, and a full body search was done to make sure nothing bad happened.
As many as 3,000 police officers were sent to Liaquat Bagh and the area around it for the event. On the roofs of nearby buildings, there were also people who could shoot well.
The Home Minister says that Shahbaz Gill was tortured by the capital police, and 3,000 police officers were sent to Liaquat Bagh and the area around it.
The Punjab government told the City Traffic Police (CTP) to set up a comprehensive traffic plan to help rally participants and other people who need to get around.
But traffic jams made it hard for people to do their weekly shopping at Raja Bazaar and the other nearby markets.
The provincial ministers also went to the site to check on the plans for Saturday night through Sunday night.
Commissioner Noorul Amin Mengal, Regional Police Officer Imran Ahmar, Deputy Commissioner Tahir Farooq, and City Police Officer Nadeem Shahzad Bukhari stayed at the site to keep an eye on the security arrangements.
Earlier, Home Minister retired Col. Hashim Dogar said that all political parties would get the same level of security from the government because protecting the lives and property of citizens was the government’s top priority.
During his trip to Liaquat Bagh, Mr. Dogar talked to the media and criticized Pemra’s decision to stop live coverage of the PTI chief’s speeches.
He said that the federal government did the unconstitutional thing because they were afraid of how popular Imran Khan was. But the minister changed his mind about Shahbaz Gill and said that he was very sick when he met him in jail.
The provincial minister said that he had said that Mr. Gill had not been tortured in Adiala jail and had said that the police in the capital had tortured him.
The minister said that the FIR against Mr. Gill did not follow the law. He also said that all legal requirements would be met in the cases that the PTI would file against PML-N leaders.
He said that a committee would be made that would make sure every prisoner was healthy before the police turned them over to the jail.
Businesses shut down in big markets
Major markets in Gawalmandi, Murree Road, and DAV College Road had to close down because of police orders. As part of their job to keep people safe during the rally, the police had set up detours.
The police who were stationed around Liaquat Bagh shut down markets and shops and stopped traffic from going to the major markets. This had a big effect on business.
On the other hand, the traffic police had come up with an alternative plan to divert traffic, which also caused trouble for commuters and the general public, even though 350 people were working to keep traffic moving.
Before the PTI rally, Chief Traffic Officer Naveed Irshad checked all highways, alternate routes, and points where people could turn around. As part of the plan for traffic, the road from Marrir Chowk to Committee Chowk was changed on both sides.
Traffic going from Islamabad to Murree Road via Saddar was sent to Kutchery Chowk, and traffic going from Islamabad to Murree Road via Rawal Road and Committee Chowk was sent to other routes.
From Liaquat Bagh, traffic was sent to DAV College Chowk, and traffic from Fawara Chowk was sent to Gawalmandi. People heading to China Market from Imambargah Chowk were also sent to Committee Chowk and Naya Mohallah.
At Committee Chowk, parking spots had been set aside at the Medical College, Waqarun Nisa University, Tipu Road, and Sasta Bazaar. On all of the other routes, including Peshawar Road and The Mall, more people were sent.
During the rally, the traffic police had already asked people not to drive on Murree Road if they didn’t have to. Around Liaquat Bagh, mobile phone service was also cut off.
