Pakistan: Police crackdown on opposition ahead of November 2 protest

Ahead of the November 2 protest in Islamabad, a massive crackdown has been launched by the Punjab Police on the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and PML-Quaid workers in different districts of the province.

Ahead of the November 2 protest in Islamabad, a massive crackdown has been launched by the Punjab Police on the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and PML-Quaid workers in different districts of the province.

Supporters of Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan chant anti-government slogans outside Khan's residence in Islamabad, Pakistan. (Reuters Photo)

Bridges on rivers, including Chenab, Sutlej and Indus, that connect different cities have been blocked for traffic by placing containers to bar the protesters from reaching Islamabad, Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported.

Police are raiding bus stands, and impounding buses and vans in different cities, including Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Multan, Sahiwal, Okara and Lahore.

Raids are also being carried out on the houses of leaders of the three parties to stop them from reaching Islamabad.

The policemen are busy checking the buses on several checkpoints that have been set up on all the major roads of the province and are also arresting activists.

Hundreds of political activists of the three parties were taken into custody for violating the Section 144 imposed in the province from October 30 to November 8 by the Punjab government.

Adviser to the PTI chairman, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, said that the Nawaz government had become confused and arrests and the police torture could not deter party workers from reaching Islamabad on November 2.