LAHORE/ISLAMABAD – With Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) set to hold a protest and possible long march towards Islamabad on September 27, authorities have begun tightening security along the crucial Lahore–Islamabad route, with containers and sand-filled sacks being positioned around key bridges on the GT Road.
The developing security measures put spotlight on the Chenab and Jhelum river crossings, two strategically important points on the GT Road connecting Lahore with Islamabad.
Authorities in central Punjab have brought heavy containers to locations around the bridges, while sacks filled with sand and soil are also being prepared to reinforce possible road blockades. Dawn reported on September 24 that scores of heavy vehicles had been parked near the Chenab and Jhelum bridges and that sand-filled sacks were being placed near the crossings.
The significance of the two bridges is considerable: with the motorway unavailable, the GT Road serves as the principal alternative route between Lahore and Islamabad. A closure of the Chenab and Jhelum crossings could therefore severely disrupt through traffic between the two cities.
Jhelum on High Alert
In Jhelum district, preparations have reportedly been made at around 10 locations, including the Jhelum River Bridge, Mangla Bridge and Sohawa.
Police have indicated that Rangers personnel are expected to be deployed around the bridges because of the anticipated law-and-order situation. However, officials have said that the actual blocking of roads with containers would depend on further orders.
Dawn reported that authorities were monitoring the situation closely and that complete closure of the bridges could depend on the movement and strength of PTI convoys.
Chenab Bridge Update
At Chenab crossing, containers have reportedly been positioned on both sides of the bridge, while sand-filled sacks are being prepared alongside the road.
For now, authorities have not confirmed that trenches will be dug around the two major river crossings. Officials from the Gujrat and Jhelum administrations have said there is no decision at present to excavate trenches.
The possibility is significant because trenches were used during previous efforts to stop protest marches.
The security preparations extend far beyond the two bridges. Punjab government has requested Rangers deployment in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali from September 22 to October 5 to assist police with maintaining law and order ahead of the expected September 27 protest.
The security plan for Rawalpindi alone envisages thousands of police personnel at entry points, blocking points and pickets. Dawn reported that 126 containers were planned for use across Murree, Jhelum and Chakwal, including 76 in Jhelum.
The measures indicate that authorities are preparing for possible attempts by protesters to reach the federal capital through multiple routes.
Army Kept Out, For Now
Despite the scale of the preparations, the federal government says the army will not be deployed to handle the September 27 PTI protest.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the government would rely on the police, Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) to deal with the situation. He also said additional personnel had been requested from the Punjab and Sindh police and warned that force could be used if necessary.
At the same time, Chaudhry said there was currently no plan to close educational institutions or shopping centres, adding that normal business and daily activities were expected to continue.
The preparations have also affected the transport sector. All Pakistan Goods Alliance has claimed that police in Islamabad and Punjab seized around 2,700 vehicles carrying containers, along with their crews, according to Dawn. The alliance said hundreds of the vehicles were still being held and that some containers were carrying commercial goods, including medicines, food items, chemicals and confectionery.
The transporters have also raised questions over compensation and rental payments for containers being used in the security operation.
For now, authorities have made extensive preparations but have indicated that the actual closure of key bridges and roads could depend on the movement of protesters and subsequent orders.
No talks with PTI until postponement of Islamabad march: Rana Sanaullah
