ISLAMABAD – Twin cities Islamabad and Rawalpindi brace for massive protests and Quaid-i-Azam University announced to suspend classes and transport services for Friday October 4, 2024.
A notification shared by public research university said there will be no transport available for October 4 and that closure will extend over three days, affecting classes and transport services on Saturday and Sunday as well. Several other colleges in twin cities also suspended classes in wake of the protests.
The decision comes in response to anticipated protests by Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), prompting authorities to seal off Red Zone. To deal with agitators, several containers have been positioned on roads leading to the area, limiting access primarily to Margalla Road.
Similar blockades have been set up at Faizabad on Express Highway, resulting in significant traffic congestion for early morning commuters, including those traveling to work and school. The situation remains tense as authorities prepare for potential escalations in the protests.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced nationwide protests for “independence of the judiciary,” including a demonstration in Islamabad on October 4, despite a ban on public gatherings.
Protests are also planned in Mianwali, Faisalabad, and Bahawalpur, with a rally at Minar-i-Pakistan in Lahore on October 5. This comes amidst a new law requiring permits for gatherings and allowing the government to designate ‘red zones’ where protests are prohibited.
Islamabad’s Red Zone sealed, roads blocked with containers ahead of PTI’s protest