Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday postponed its protest rally in the federal capital due to the imposition of Section 144, while the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) defied the ban claiming several party workers were arrested by the capital police as it has staged sit-in at Murre Road near Rawalpindi’s Liaqat Bagh.
On Thursday, the district administration in a statement had stated that Section 144 was already imposed in Islamabad.
It is pertinent to mention that that Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) announced to stage sit-against a massive hike in the prices of electricity PTI had also announced to stage demonstrations on Friday for the release of the party's founder and former premier Imran Khan.
On Thursday, the Punjab Home Department had also announced a province-wide enforcement of Section 144 from July 26 to 28.
According to a notification issued by the provincial government, public gatherings, rallies, sit-ins and protests are prohibited during this period, as such gatherings could be soft targets for terrorist activities.
"The administration will ensure the implementation of the order across Punjab," the notification added.
Moreover, the federal capital has been completely sealed off with containers, effectively isolating it from surrounding areas, including Rawalpindi.
Personnel of law enforcement agencies have been deployed in the federal capital to ensure compliance and citizens are urged to avoid participating in any illegal activity.
On the Faizabad interchange, the police party was deployed to tackle the JI protestors coming in from different parts of the country for the sit-in.
Meanwhile, the road leading to Parliament House from D-Chowk has been completely blocked with barricades, but there the traffic moved without any trouble.
The protesters trying to gather at this point were being dispersed or taken into custody by the law enforcers.
As per the capital police authorities, JI would not be allowed to protest in Islamabad without permission.
They said that Red Zone is a sensitive location and no one can be allowed to stage sit-ins there.