ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was barred by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from holding public office on Friday, which sparked demonstrations from furious PTI members and was considered as a major electoral setback for Khan’s party.
After the decision was announced, angry PTI employees gathered in huge numbers outside the ECP building and caused chaos by yelling anti-government slurs.In order to prevent any adverse incidents, the district administrator reportedly shut three key arteries going to Islamabad.
The Chungi No. 26 and Athal Chowk in the Bhara Kahu neighbourhood have been closed to all sorts of traffic due to the protests and security concerns, according to the Islamabad traffic police, who urged commuters to take Peshawar Road or Lehtrar Road instead.Protesters in Peshawar shut down a lane close to the Pir Zakordi Bridge and another close to Stadium Chowk. After burning tyres on the highway close to the toll booth, they also stopped the flow of traffic.
In Karachi, demonstrators held a sit-in outside the Sindh ECP office under the direction of party leaders Ali Zaidi, Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Mehmood Moulvi, and others. According to reports, PTI employees attempted to barge inside the ECP building but were stopped by the police amidst raucous slogan chanting.
