PTI Protests Ignite Tensions: Over 200 Detained as Several Punjab Cities Lock Down
In a significant show of dissent, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has mobilized protests across multiple Punjab cities, leading the government to enforce Section 144 and ramp up security measures to maintain order.
These protests are a direct response to the PTI’s demands for the release of their detained leaders. In anticipation of unrest, authorities have implemented Section 144 for two days in key districts, including Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, and Sargodha, effectively banning public gatherings and protests. Major highways and roads have been barricaded with containers to curb movement.
Entry and exit points in Bahawalpur have been tightly sealed, with containers strategically placed at critical junctures like Qutubpur Toll Plaza and the Empress Bridge linking Lodhran and Bahawalpur. Checkpoints have also been established on five primary highways leading into Bahawalpur.
In Mianwali, the situation is similarly tense, with all entry and exit points closed off, isolating the district. As part of the crackdown, mobile services have been suspended in Mianwali, although residents can still access the internet through Wi-Fi and DSL connections.
Faisalabad has seen increased security measures as well, with its motorway interchange sealed and police deployed at all city entry points, restricting access for the general public and banning convoys. The unfolding situation underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining order amid rising tensions.
