Life in Islamabad began to return to normal after a grand operation to disperse PTI protesters completes
ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (SABAH): Life in the capital began to return to normal on Wednesday after a grand operation to disperse Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters was completed
The National Highway and Motorway Police on early Wednesday, re-opened all Motorways including M1, M2, M3, M4 for all commuters to travel efficiently.
Life in the capital began to return to normal on Wednesday after a grand operation to disperse Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters was completed, with business activities resuming and educational activities expected to restart on Nov 28.
Following a night of clashes between security forces and PTI supporters, authorities in Islamabad began clearing roads and removing barricades that had been erected during the protest. “The operation has been successfully concluded and normalcy is being restored,” a senior official told reporters.
The National Highway and Motorway Police on early Wednesday, re-opened all Motorways including M1, M2, M3, M4 for all commuters to travel efficiently.
In addition to reopening roads that were closed due to the protests, city officials started removing containers from sensitive areas like the Red Zone, where many key government buildings are located. Cleaning operations are underway across the city to ensure public spaces are cleared of debris and abandoned vehicles left behind by protesters.
The streets, once filled with protesters, now bear the remnants of the demonstrations—scattered shoes, clothes, and vehicles left abandoned. “We are making sure the roads are clear,” said Islamabad’s Deputy Commissioner, Irfan Memon. “All roadblocks will be removed and areas will be cleaned up,” he added.
After being closed for four days, all motorways have now been reopened, as confirmed by motorway authorities. The Islamabad-Lahore motorway (M-2) is once again open, providing relief to commuters.
In addition, the Lahore-Sialkot motorway has been restored, improving regional connectivity.
Motorways M-3, M-4, and M-5 have also resumed operations, allowing for smoother travel across multiple areas of the country.
Authorities also confirmed that business activities would resume immediately, and schools would reopen on Nov 28. The city is now experiencing a calm atmosphere following the intense clashes that saw protesters clashing with police and military forces on the streets of the capital.
Earlier Wednesday, PTI protest in the federal capital was brought to an end late after the government launched a grand operation against the protesters surge to the D-Chowk, leaving the senior party leadership “escaping” from the scene.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said that the PTI protesters had been dispersed who later fled towards Khyber-Pakhtunkwha (K-P). Some reports said that K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi, wife of PTI founder Imran Khan had reached K-P.
“The law enforcement personnel have cleared the area and ended the protest,” Naqvi said, adding that Gandapur and Bushra Bibi had fled. Tarar also said that PTI protestors had fled from the capital. Both the ministers told reporters that the daily life would be brought to normal.
The grand operation and crackdown was carried out late at night against the PTI protesters, who had reached the federal capital, in which hundreds of workers were arrested. Amid fierce shelling, Bibi and Gandapur fled in a car. The protesters broke all the barriers on their way, including roads closures with containers.
The PTI protesters being led by Chief Minister Gandapur and accompanied by Bushra Bibi continued their march towards Parliament and managed to reach D-Chowk – the place where they had vowed to reach at any cost.
The day started with the protestors quickly moving ahead by removing containers, clashing with the law-enforcement personnel and allegedly resorting to firing tear gas back at the security officials in their attempt to reach the venue.
The footages of the PTI protestors standing on the containers placed near parliament embarrassed the government yet it showed restrained. Later on, the army, which was summoned on Monday night with shoot-at-sight orders, forced the protestors back a few kilometres away.
The clashes between the security forces and protestors continued till late night with government ministers announcing that there will be no more talks with the PTI, especially, after they symbolically achieved what they wanted during the day.
After midnight, it emerged that the law-enforcers had cleared up the area. Reportedly, dozens of protestors were arrested during the operation, while PTI leadership remained out of sight. The reports said that the special teams were formed to apprehend the PTI leaders.