Government Has Deployed Thousands of Police and Rangers Yet Shut Islamabad Days Ahead of PTI March: Shehzad Iqbal
LAHORE: Journalist Shehzad Iqbal has questioned the government’s decision to shut down Islamabad several days ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest planned for September 27, saying thousands of police personnel and Rangers have already been deployed.
Speaking on a Geo News programme, Shehzad Iqbal questioned the rationale behind closing Islamabad so far in advance, saying containers had been placed extensively around the capital, including outside his office.
He said thousands of police personnel had been deployed while Rangers and the military were also being called in, yet the government had closed major routes and restricted movement several days before the announced date of the protest.
“If you have deployed thousands of police personnel and called in Rangers, and you are confident, why have you shut everything down so many days in advance?” he questioned.
Shehzad Iqbal said the Red Zone had also been sealed, while the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway was reportedly closed the previous night.
He said movement in Islamabad had been largely limited to local residents and questioned the reported plan to close the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway as well.
“If they say they will come out on September 27, why are these measures being taken now? Isn’t intelligence informing you when the caravans will arrive?” he asked.
He also referred to reports of internet restrictions being imposed ahead of the planned protest.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that matters with the PTI could potentially be settled within the next 24 to 48 hours.
بریکنگ نیوز 🚨جیو نیوز پر بیٹھ کر نر کے بچے شہزاد اقبال نے طاقتور حلقوں کو دھو ڈالا، کمال کردیا۔ ٹاؤٹ عمر چیمہ اور سلیم صافی دونوں کے چہرے کا رنگ بدل گیا 🔥🔥
اسلام آباد کو اتنے دن پہلے بند کرنے کی کیا لاجک اور تُک بنتی ہے، ہمارے دفتر کے سامنے کنٹینرز ہی کنٹینرز ہیں۔ آپ نے ہزاروں… pic.twitter.com/8l9gvmwEjX— زہـــرہ لیــاقت (@IG_Zahra) September 24, 2026
Speaking on Geo News, Talal Chaudhry said, “God forbid that we come face to face,” adding that the way forward was dialogue rather than a long march.
He said PTI leaders, including Barrister Gohar Khan, should identify any constitutional or legal right that they were being denied.
Talal Chaudhry said the government believed in the minimum use of force and did not want a situation in which violence occurred anywhere.
He said Islamabad was far away for those intending to reach the capital through a protest march, adding that the government would deal with them in a manner that respected their dignity.
However, he warned that if protesters came with the intention of creating confrontation or taking something by force, the situation would be different.
“The way can be opened through talks, but it will not be opened through a long march,” the minister said.
