Police crackdown JI Supporters nationwide

ISLAMABAD: Police Crackdown on Jamaat-e-Islami Supporters Amid D-Chowk Sit-In several Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) supporters have been arrested nationwide as the police launched a crackdown during the sit-in at D-Chowk.

In Islamabad, numerous JI workers on their way to D-Chowk were detained and taken to unknown locations in prisoner vans.

The administration and police sealed all routes leading to D-Chowk in response to JI’s announced protest against inflation and high electricity bills.

The JI protest focuses on opposing the hike in power tariffs, inflated electricity bills, and other pressing issues. Islamabad police confirmed the arrest of 13 JI workers at Express Chowk.

Additionally, the police closed the Faizabad interchange, which connects Rawalpindi to Islamabad, by placing heavy barriers. Key roads and intersections now only allow one lane of traffic, causing severe inconvenience, traffic jams, and long queues for residents.

JI spokesperson Qaiser Sharif claimed that over 500 workers en route to Islamabad have been arrested, calling it the ‘worst example of police terrorism.’ In a statement, Sharif said that police raided the homes of office-bearers and workers, violating their privacy by filming their homes.

He added that police even arrested guests at workers’ homes, estimating that around 500 workers have been detained.

In a video message, JI Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman directed his workers to stage sit-ins wherever they are stopped by the authorities. He noted that caravans have left for the D-Chowk sit-in with great enthusiasm.

“We are peaceful people and want to remain peaceful. Wherever there is an obstacle, the workers should hold a sit-in. We will turn one sit-in into many sit-ins,” stated the JI chief.

According to the latest Information, JI Supporters have crossed I-8 Interchange, Islamabad Expressway and heading towards D-Chowk.

Section-144 in Punjab and Islamabad

The Punjab Home Department has imposed Section 144 across the province and in Islamabad, banning public gatherings and rallies for three days.

According to the notification issued on Wednesday, Section 144 will be in effect from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28, aiming to maintain law and order and prevent potential terrorist threats.

The notification states that the administration will enforce the order throughout Punjab and Islamabad. The imposition of Section 144 prohibits gatherings of five or more people, with any violation leading to legal action.