ISLAMABAD: The capital police restricted entry to the Red Zone on Friday, as protest rallies were announced against the suicide attack at an imambargah a week ago and by opposition parties over the vision loss of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan.

The police put containers at Fazal-i-Haq Road opposite China Chowk to stop the rally over the suicide attack. Besides, additional personnel were deployed at police pickets at the entry points of the Red Zone.

Keeping in view the opposition parties’ protest, the police did not allow motorists to enter the Red Zone.

At every entry point, motorists and visitors were not allowed to proceed further.

As a result, scores of motorists remained stuck in long queues.

The inspector general of police Islamabad and other senior police officers visited the Red Zone and Parliament House and reviewed the security measures.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people staged a protest demonstration over the suicide attack at Imambargah Khadijatul Kubra at Tarlai during Friday prayers on Feb 6 in which 38 worshipers were martyred and over 160 injured.

The protest rally was taken out from Imambargah G-6/2. Police were deployed around the imambargah, on Fazal-i-Haq Road, Jinnah Avenue and adjacent localities.

Besides, the area around the imambargah was covered with tents and barbed wires.

Fazal-i-Haq Road was closed by placing containers opposite China Chowk.

The participants demanded immediate arrest of elements involved in the suicide attack.

The protestors were holding placards of martyrs and banners inscribed with different slogans, including “why our killers are free?”

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2026