Daily life in the capital and its adjacent city, Rawalpindi, ground to a halt Friday after authorities sealed major entry points with shipping containers and suspended mobile data services to counter a planned march by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), which the government claims is a guise for inciting violence.

A notification from the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control confirmed the indefinite suspension of mobile internet services, including 3G and 4G, across both urban centers. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) was directed to enforce the blackout in collaboration with local administrations.

The preemptive measures caused significant disruptions for citizens, who reported immense difficulty with communication and transportation. Cellular networks were significantly degraded, and numerous key thoroughfares were rendered impassable by the large containers.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry stated that the TLP was attempting to sow ‘unrest and chaos’ through its “so-called Gaza March.’ He asserted that the group had not sought any official permission for the gathering, nor had it provided assurances of complying with standard procedures for peaceful demonstrations.

Chaudhry revealed that security forces had arrested several TLP members in Punjab and Islamabad who were found carrying batons, chemicals, glass bottles, tear gas shells, and face masks. He presented this as evidence of malicious intent.

‘Does this look like a peaceful protest or an attempt to incite violence?’ the minister questioned, adding that the detained individuals were confirmed office-bearers of the organization.

The minister further alleged that the TLP’s rally was a tactic to distract from national security priorities, drawing parallels to similar actions by the group during past periods of Indian aggression.

He stressed that Pakistan maintains a firm and consistent pro-Palestine stance, suggesting that street demonstrations were not required to prove the government’s commitment to the cause.