Authorities blocked different roads in Lahore to thwart PTI public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan

Lahore: (Staff Reporter) The authorities concerned have blocked various roads, including entry and exit points, in the Punjab capital Lahore to thwart the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan tonight.

According to the source, the political show comes despite postponement of elections in Punjab as Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has excused from holding polls due to financial and security constraints.  All roads leading to Minar-e-Pakistan have been barricaded by parking trucks carrying shipping containers while Ravi Bridge and Thokar Niaz Baig the two major entry and exit points have also been closed for traffic. The measures to prevent the political gathering caused hurdles for commuters who headed for their jobs and workplaces earlier in the day.

As per details the areas where containers have been placed include Shah Alam Market, Bansawala Bazaar and the railway station. In a tweet, the City Traffic Police said “the following roads are closed for traffic from Lohay Wali Pulli towards Sabzi Mandi, outgate Lorri Adda towards Sabzi Mandi, R/O Lorri Adda towards Sabzi Mandi, both sides of old and new Ravi bridge, Barkat Pulli towards Shahdara, both sides of Masti gate towards Railway Station, lk Moria bridge towards Railway Station, Railway Station towards Ik Moria from beneath and flyover, Bohar Wala Chowk, Railway Road, Brendth Road and Hafiz hotel, District Chowk towards Workshop Chowk both sides, Peer Makki U-turn both sides, Retigun chowk towards SSP corner. The police have asked people to take alternate routes.”

Tonight’s Jalsa will break all records: Despite restrictions on roads, PTI Chairman Imran Khan is optimistic about his successful power show. Taking to Twitter, he said tonight the PTI will hold its sixth gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan and “my heart tells me it will break all records. “I am inviting everyone in Lahore to attend after Tarawih prayers. I will give my vision of Haqeeqi Azadi & how we will pull Pakistan out of the mess the cabal of crooks has put our country in.”

Furthermore “They will put all sorts of hurdles to prevent people from attending, but I want to remind our people that it is their fundamental right to attend a political gathering. Everyone must assert their right as people of a free nation that won its independence & come to Minar-e- Pakistan.”

Preparations Reviewed: On Friday night, PTI leaders Azam Swati, Hammad Azhar and Zulfi Bukhari visited the venue to review preparations for the jalsa. Speaking to media, Mr Azhar said the Met Office had predicted rains but pledged to hold the power show in every situation. “We have made arrangements to pump out water from the ground,” he said.

Moreover he said “the route for arrival of Imran Khan had been kept secret due to security reasons, adding that a bullet-proof stage had been prepared for the former premier. Speaking on the occasion, Zulfi Bukhari said: “Whether wicket is dry or wet, we will play tonight”.

Crackdown on PTI: Police have arrested several PTI leaders and workers in a wide-scale crackdown in various cities across the country. Police conducted overnight raids to arrest the PTI workers and leaders in Lahore, Vehari, Burewala, Bhakkar, Mian Channu and other cities.

Meanwhile PTI Secretary General Asad Umar said a massive crackdown on party activists was launched in Islamabad. He said even injured party workers had been arrested.