The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday rejected reports claiming that roads had been blocked in Islamabad ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) October 4 long march. In a statement on X, the ministry’s fact-checking account refuted report titled “Containerabad” and described it as disinformation. The ministry clarified that no roads had been blocked and said the containers had been placed as a precautionary measure in Islamabad in compliance with directions issued by the Islamabad High Court to protect citizens’ lives, property and lawful movement.

The statement said the preventive security measures were aimed at safeguarding public infrastructure and sensitive installations in view of what it described as the “past violent practices” of the protesting party. The ministry stated that Al Jazeera had selectively portrayed the measures as “road blockades”, while ignoring the fact that roads remained open, adding that the media outlet also ignored the judicial and security context surrounding the state’s responsibility to maintain public order. “Such angled reporting purposefully creates a misleading and negative impression,” the statement said, adding that “lies and propaganda” could not substitute facts.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday accused PTI of preparing to create “May 9-like” violence in alleged collusion with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The statement comes as PTI prepares for an October 4 long march to Islamabad, demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan. In a statement on X, Khawaja Asif alleged that preparations were underway for an attack in coordination with the TTP. He said the planned activity could not be considered a conventional political protest or a campaign to seek the acceptance of political demands, alleging that it was being prepared as an armed attack on the federation.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)