Police arrests PTI supporters ahead of protest call at Minar-e-Pakistan

LAHORE: The district administration has sealed the area around Minar-e-Pakistan and major roads as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) plans to hold a protest today at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on Saturday.

Police and PTI lawyers encountered at Aiwan-e-Adal when police restored shelling and baton-charged PTI protesters to disperse them and stop marching towards Minar-e-Pakistan. Ten PTI workers were arrested near Minar-e-Pakistan including PTI’s provincial assembly member Chaudhry Akram Mithu, the party said.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf alleged that the Punjab police straight-fired on peaceful protesters. Member of Insaf Youth Wing injured by a shell, it wrote on X.

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz claimed that Lahore police Constable Bilal was seriously injured by stone pelting from PTI lawyers in Lahore.

Following the suit of the federal government, the provincial government has made extensive preparations including placing containers on the city’s entry and exit points and deploying over 10,000 police personnel along with Rangers to counter PTI protesters.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner has not issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to PTI and has enforced section 144 for six days in the city, slapping a ban on rallies, gatherings, sit-ins, and other political activities.

Earlier on Friday, PTI senior leader and former federal minister Hammad Azhar announced that the ‘peaceful protest’, scheduled at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore will start on Saturday (tomorrow) at 2 pm.

“The people of Lahore will come out tomorrow and peacefully demonstrate people power for the end of shameless fascism in this country and independent courts,” Hammad Azhar wrote on X.

Following the road closure and crackdown, PTI has announced six alternative locations across the city for the demonstrations, including Data Darbar, Ravi Bridge, and the railway station, with three additional sites yet to be finalized.

Punjab calls army

The Punjab government has requested the deployment of the military in Lahore to control the deteriorating law and order situation and secure sensitive buildings, including airports and other significant infrastructure.

The decision to call in the army comes amid rising concerns over the security of critical buildings as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepared for a protest at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan.

The military personnel will take control of sensitive structures and airports, among other vital sites. Punjab’s Home Department confirmed that a letter had been sent to the federal government, asking for troops to be stationed across vulnerable areas.

Roads blocked

Lahore-Islamabad motorways have been blocked with containers from several points. Containers have been placed at entry points of the city including Babu Sabu Interchange, Thokar Niaz Baig, and Lahore-Sialkot Motorway.

Faisal Kamran, Punjab Police’s DIG Operations for Lahore, has warned against violation of Section 144 and added that all security arrangements have been completed.

Road closure has led to disruptions in the provincial capital’s public transport services, with the Metro bus service partially restricted and Lorry Adda’s inter-city bus operations completely halted.

Amid the PTI protest call, the Metro bus service is being operated on a limited route while the Orange Line Train is operational. The metro buses are operational between Gajjumata and MAO College, while the section from MAO to Shahdara remains suspended due to road blockages.

A petition was filed through Advocate Azhar Siddique which listed the Punjab government and the Lahore deputy commissioner as respondents.

The petition argues that the enforcement of Section 144 of CrPC, which restricts public assembly, is illegal and unconstitutional, as the Constitution grants citizens the right to protest.

Petitioner requested the court to declare the notification about Section 144 in Lahore, null and void, adding that it was imposed only to stop ‘peaceful’ protests announced by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).