RAWALPINDI: The area around Liaquat Bagh and Murree Road saw much activity as workers and supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) thronged the area ahead of party chief Imran Khan’s arrival in the city to address a rally on Sunday.

However, closure of major markets in Gawalmandi, Murree Road and DAV College Road created a lot of inconvenience for citizens who usually visit these places for shopping. Traffic was also thrown out of gear due to several diversions.

All roads leading to the venue were sealed by security personnel with containers and other barricades while walk-through gates were installed at all entry points and a comprehensive mechanism of body search was adopted to avoid any untoward incident.

As many as 3,000 police officials were deployed inside and around Liaquat Bagh on the occasion. Sharp shooters were also stationed on rooftops of nearby buildings.

Home minister claims Shahbaz Gill tortured by capital police; 3,000 police officials deployed inside and around Liaquat Bagh

The City Traffic Police (CTP), following instructions from the Punjab government, also put in place a comprehensive traffic plan to facilitate the rally participants and other commuters.

However, residents faced problems while visiting Raja Bazaar and adjoining markets for their weekly shopping due to traffic jams.

The provincial ministers also visited the venue to review the arrangements from Saturday night to Sunday evening.

Commissioner Noorul Amin Mengal, Regional Police Officer Imran Ahmar, Deputy Commissioner Tahir Farooq and City Police Officer Nadeem Shahzad Bukhari remained at the site to monitor the security arrangements.

Earlier, Home Minister retired Col Hashim Dogar said the government would provide similar security to all political parties because the safety of the citizens’ lives and property was the government’s first priority.

Talking to media during his visit to Liaquat Bagh, Mr Dogar criticised the decision of Pemra to ban live coverage of the PTI chief’s speeches.

He alleged that the federal government feared Imran Khan’s popularity and had taken the unconstitutional measure. However, the minister took a u-turn on Shahbaz Gill and clarified that when he met him in jail the latter was very ill.

Explaining his previous statement, the provincial minister said he had stated that Mr Gill was not tortured in Adiala jail and alleged that the capital police had tortured him.

The minister said the FIR against Mr Gill was not in accordance with law, adding all that legal requirements would be fulfilled in cases the PTI was going to file against the PML-N leaders.

He said a committee would be formed which would conduct a medical examination of every prisoner before the police handed them over to jail authorities.

Businesses closed in major markets

Police forced traders and shopkeepers of major markets in Gawalmandi, Murree Road and DAV College Road to close their businesses. The traffic police had put in place diversions as part of the security during the rally.

Business activities were badly affected due to the forced closure of markets and shops while traffic was not allowed to move towards the major markets by the police deployed around Liaquat Bagh.

On the other hand, the traffic police had chalked out an alternative diversion plan which also caused inconvenience to commuters and general public though 350 officials had been deployed to manage the movement of vehicles.

Chief Traffic Officer Naveed Irshad inspected all highways, alternative routes and diversion points before the PTI rally. As part of the traffic plan, diversion was placed on both sides of the road from Marrir Chowk to Committee Chowk.

Traffic going to Murree Road Islamabad via Saddar was diverted to Kutchery Chowk while those coming from Islamabad to Murree Road were diverted to alternative routes from Rawal Road and Committee Chowk.

There was a diversion from Liaquat Bagh to DAV College Chowk and the traffic coming from Fawara Chowk was diverted towards Gawalmandi. Traffic coming from Imambargah Chowk towards China Market was also diverted to Committee Chowk and Naya Mohallah.

Parking space had been allotted at Medical College, Waqarun Nisa University, Tipu Road and Sasta Bazaar at Committee Chowk. Additional personnel were deployed on all alternative routes, including Peshawar Road and The Mall.

The traffic police had already appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary travel on Murree Road during the rally. Mobile phone service was also suspended around Liaquat Bagh.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2022