RAWALPINDI: Weekly attempts by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and supporters to meet jailed former prime minister Imran Khan have increasingly disrupted daily life in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, with road closures, traffic congestion and business interruptions becoming a recurring feature of Tuesdays.
Authorities imposed heightened security measures around Adiala Jail on Tuesday as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur led a convoy of lawmakers and party workers toward the prison in another bid to meet the PTI founder.
Major roads leading to the jail and surrounding areas witnessed heavy traffic disruptions, leaving commuters stranded and affecting routine commercial activity in parts of Rawalpindi. Residents and business owners have repeatedly complained about the impact of the weekly political mobilizations, which often coincide with strict security arrangements.
Under prison regulations, Tuesdays are designated as meeting days for Khan, allowing visits by party leaders, family members and legal representatives. However, in recent weeks, several PTI leaders, lawyers and family members have reported being denied access to the former premier.
Officials maintain that the restrictions are linked to security concerns and the repeated gatherings of PTI supporters outside the prison. Authorities have also cited public criticism of state institutions by some party figures as a factor behind the tightened arrangements.
The restrictions have turned routine prison visits into a flashpoint between the opposition party and the government, with PTI leaders frequently organizing convoys and demonstrations to press for access to Khan.
For residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, however, the political standoff has translated into recurring traffic gridlock, increased security checkpoints and disruptions to daily life, particularly on Tuesdays when large numbers of supporters converge on the area surrounding Adiala Jail.
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The latest convoy arrived at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad before proceeding toward the prison under heavy security, raising expectations of further traffic disruptions throughout the day.
