Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protests and the government measures to stop them have paralyzed D-chowk, other areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The situation in twin cities (Islamabad-Rawalpindi) is chaotic for the second consecutive day. Police and law enforcement agencies have placed hurdles at inter-city and intra-city routes, including motorways, highways.
The government have shut-downed mobile and internet services, also closing metro bus services for both connecting cities. It suffered thousands of daily commuters.
Police have blocked Faizabad, D-Chowk, and 26 No Chungi.
Pakistan Army has taken control of security in Islamabad under Article 245 of the Constitution.
Their main presence is at D-chow, the ultimate destination of the PTI protestors.
Police and army patrols have restricted protest march to the stock exchange area. Reports about protestors clash with law enforcement agencies are circulating at media and social media.
Islamabad police have arrested 20 to 25 PTI workers from the 26 No Chungi area, reports say.
PTI workers have resorted to throwing stones at the police, claimed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. PTI says its workers are responding with tear gas. Several roads, including the Express Highway and Blue Area, remain in darkness as authorities have turned off streetlights.
In Faizabad, police have completely blocked the roads with containers.
Government have deployed a heavy contingent of police, the Anti-Riot Force and Frontier Corps personnel to maintain law and order in the capital.
