ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has clarified that no roads have been closed in Islamabad, saying containers placed at various locations were deployed as a precautionary security measure to protect citizens, property and lawful movement.
In a fact check posted on social media, the ministry said the security arrangements were made in compliance with directions of the Islamabad High Court. According to the ministry, the measures are also intended to protect public infrastructure and sensitive installations and maintain public order.
The ministry further said that the security arrangements took into account what it described as the past violent practices of the party concerned.
The Information Ministry also responded to an Al Jazeera report that described the deployment of containers as “road blockades.” The ministry said the report selectively portrayed the security measures while overlooking the judicial and security context cited by the authorities.
According to the ministry’s account, all roads remain open and the containers are intended as preventive security arrangements rather than measures to restrict lawful public movement.
However, reporting published around the same period has documented road restrictions during earlier stages of the security preparations. For example, an earlier fact check by iVerify Pakistan found that major routes including the M-1, M-14 and N-5/GT Road had been closed on September 24, while subsequent reporting indicated that some routes were later reopened.
The ministry maintains that its current arrangements should be understood in the context of court directions, public safety and the state’s responsibility to maintain public order.