Federal government has strongly rejected reports claiming that roads across Islamabad have been closed ahead of the PTI long march planned for October 4. Officials clarified that shipping containers have been placed only as a precautionary measure.
The statement came after Aljazeera claimed that between 1,500 and 2,000 containers were seized to barricade roads in the federal capital. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting called these reports misleading and selective.
According to the ministry, the containers were positioned in full compliance with directions from the Islamabad High Court. The purpose is to protect citizens’ lives, property and the right to lawful movement. Officials stressed that all roads remain open and traffic is flowing normally.
The ministry explained that the preventive steps were taken to safeguard public infrastructure and sensitive installations. This decision considered the past violent practices associated with the party organising the march. “As expected, Aljazeera selectively portrayed these measures as road blockades, ignoring the facts,” the ministry said in its fact-check post.
Information officials added that such angled reporting creates a false and negative impression. They maintained that propaganda cannot replace actual facts on the ground.
PTI had postponed its earlier plan from September 27 to October 4. The party says the march aims to demand the release of its jailed founder Imran Khan and the restoration of constitutional supremacy. Despite recent talks between the government and opposition, PTI has confirmed it will go ahead with the protest.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had earlier warned that the government will not allow the country to remain shut for days because of demonstrations. He said a permanent strategy is in place to manage any long march towards the capital.
The government continues to emphasise that the current placement of containers is temporary and strictly preventive. It is not a full closure of roads. Authorities say the steps are necessary to maintain public order while ensuring that daily life in Islamabad is not disrupted.
