The government issued a stern warning on Tuesday, stating that it will not permit any mob to assault Adiala Jail or any other site in Punjab province. Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, addressed the National Assembly, revealing that the Interior Ministry convened a meeting with all provincial administrations on Monday, directing them to communicate with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to ascertain their planned demonstration venues. Chaudhry stressed the requirement for PTI to seek prior authorization from the appropriate officials. He explained that district administrations are ready to designate protest zones, but unlawful assemblies and violent actions targeting Adiala Jail or any other place will be met with decisive action.

Chaudhry disclosed that no prominent PTI figures have reached out to Islamabad’s district administration. He further revealed intelligence suggesting that PTI legislators intend to congregate at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad and proceed towards Adiala Jail. “The administration will prevent this,” he declared. “We will not permit any crowd to form and target Adiala Jail or any site in Punjab.’

The Islamabad district administration had previously denied PTI’s application to hold a public gathering at F-9 Park on August 5. The rally was intended to commemorate two years since the apprehension of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, coinciding with a nationwide protest movement. The rally application was submitted by PTI representative Amir Mughal.

However, a report from Islamabad Police’s Special Branch indicated that PTI’s local organizers were arranging multiple small demonstrations across the city, possibly obstructing major thoroughfares. Acting on this information, Islamabad Police have initiated a crackdown, conducting searches at the residences of local PTI officials. A parallel operation is in progress in Rawalpindi, with local law enforcement also targeting PTI leaders’ homes.