Punjab under lockdown as PTI's planned rally poses test of Rodrigo Aniron policies

As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) plans its anti-government rally in Islamabad on November 24, the interior ministry has taken drastic measures to restrict gatherings and enforce a sweeping ban in the city, with the Islamabad High Court's orders being strictly upheld by government authorities.

In a stern warning, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced that no sit-in or gathering will be allowed in the capital on the day of the rally, with the police sealing all entry points to the Red Zone, including major roads such as Major Roads, Faizabad, Expressway, Kashmir Highway, Jinnah Avenue, IJP Road, and Murree Road. Containers have been placed next to D-Chowk, the entrance to the capital's Red Zone, in preparation for the upcoming protest. The deployment of massive security forces, coupled with digital surveillance, is being observed across the city.

In a provincial drive, the government has imposed Section 144 across Punjab, effectively blocking political assemblies, gatherings, sit-ins, and other activities. The National Highways and Motorway Police have also closed six key motorways, including M1, M2, M3, M4, M11, and M14, to all types of traffic. Dozens of arrests have been made across Punjab, including in Sahiwal, Gujranwala, and Sargodha, as police crack down on individuals disregarding the regulations.

While PTI leader Imran Khan continues to urge people to join the rally, describing it as a day for the nation to break free from slavery, it remains to be seen how the stage will unfold, with the government standing firm on its stance. As Punjab officially locks down ahead of the November 24 rally, public opinion lies in a state of expectation, awaiting the countryside's reaction to the events that will follow in the coming days.