Govt denies Islamabad road closures ahead of PTI march

The federal government has rejected reports that roads across Islamabad have been closed ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march planned for October 4, saying shipping containers were positioned in the capital as a precautionary security measure.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a fact-check statement on Saturday following a report claiming that between 1,500 and 2,000 containers had been taken by the government to block roads in Islamabad.

The ministry said the containers were placed in line with directions from the Islamabad High Court. It maintained that the measures were intended to protect citizens, public infrastructure and sensitive installations while ensuring lawful movement.

According to the ministry, the precautionary arrangements were made in view of what it described as violent incidents associated with previous PTI protests.

The government also rejected the portrayal of the security measures as widespread road blockades. The ministry said roads remained open and accused the international broadcaster of presenting the arrangements selectively without adequately explaining their judicial and security context.

The PTI had earlier postponed its planned September 27 march to October 4. The party has said the demonstration is intended to demand the release of its founder Imran Khan and what it calls the restoration of constitutional supremacy.

Despite talks between the government and opposition on Friday, PTI leaders have maintained that the planned march towards Islamabad will go ahead.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has previously said the government would adopt a long-term approach to dealing with PTI demonstrations and argued that prolonged shutdowns caused by protests could not continue.