BAHAWALPUR/FAISALABAD: The civic life in Bahawalpur and Faisalabad came to a standstill on Wednesday as roads were sealed by placing containers and tractor-trollies at busy points with police arresting PTI activists and office-bearers to thwart their protest plan. Commuters faced a great deal of inconvenience throughout the day.

Crackdown on PTI workers which started on Tuesday night continued till Wednesday evening as police made arrests from Bahawalpur, Ahmedpur East, Vehari, Faisalabad, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh. The abrupt closure of children’s schools after opening in the morning worried their parents. Several shops in local bazaars remained shut.

Police arrested over 100 PTI leaders and workers in Bahawalpur region. All interchanges of motorway M-4 were completely blocked to check the entry of PTI workers into Faisalabad.

The Clock Tower and bazaars around it were blocked but PTI activists made their entry. PTI Punjab president Hammad Azhar and MPA Malik Ismail Seela reached Kutchery Bazar. In hiding since long, Seela was arrested later.

In Mianwali, PTI workers came out on streets and clashed with police which fired tear gas shells to disperse them. Jinnah and Chashma barrages were closed.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2024