ISLAMABAD: Scores of leaders and members of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) were arrested on Saturday for planning to stage a protest demonstration outside the United States embassy here in the federal capital for Sunday, demonstrating their support for the people of Palestine.
The Islamabad administration took the action against the party due to their refusal to relocate their planned protest away from the vicinity of the US embassy.
The protest was organised to express solidarity with the people of Gaza.
JI chief Sirajul Haq had announced the “Gaza March” to be conducted in front of the US embassy tomorrow. However, the administration denied permission for the protest demonstration near the federal capital’s diplomatic enclave.
In a display of brute force, the Islamabad police and Frontier Constabulary (FC) confiscated the stage, sound systems, and other equipment from the city’s red zone, effectively preventing the preparations for the Gaza Solidarity March.
During this operation, leaders and members of Jamaat-e-Islami resisted the authorities, resulting in the arrest of several activists and leaders, including the party’s Islamabad Amir, Nasrullah Randhawa.
A spokesperson for the capital police informed the media that some individuals were detained for their involvement in blocking the Srinagar highway. He clarified that no political organisation would be allowed to disrupt roadways in Islamabad.
The Islamabad Police also resorted to teargas shelling to disperse the JI activists, subsequently reopening the Srinagar Highway for regular traffic.
Additionally, he emphasised that due to the imposition of Section 144 in the capital, no rallies or processions would be permitted within Islamabad’s limits.
