Container trucks en route to Rawalpindi stopped in Karachi

KARACHI: Authorities on Friday stopped dozens of container trucks taking goods to Rawalpindi in the wake of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's Islamabad shutdown.

It was thought that these containers might be used to block streets in the capital during the rally.

Members of the Transport Goods Authority protested the move saying that they will protest if the trucks are not released. They said that traders should not be dragged into politics. "The federal and provincial governments should stop making our lives difficult," one of them said.

Political tension in the country has flared as PTI chief Imran Khan has vowed to shut down Islamabad on November 2 to pressurize the prime minister into giving in a resignation.

Meanwhile, the government has blocked residences of Imran Khan, Sheikh Rasheed, two main participants of the proposed sit-in.

Several PTI and AML workers were rounded up in a police crackdown on Thursday.

In a major blow to the opposition party on Thursday the Islamabad High Court ordered the PTI not to shut down the capital during the party's November 2 sit-in.

Shortly afterwards, PTI chairman Imran Khan challenged the High Court’s decision barring him from blocking the capital, saying no power could stop him from holding the November 2 sit-in.

“My resolve is increasing every day. Our gathering on November 2 will be decisive and historic,” Khan said in a fiery press conference outside his Bani Gala residence.

Sheikh Rasheed on Thursday said that not only Islamabad but Rawalpindi will also be shut down for protests.

“Will tear Section 144 into 144 fragments,” announced Sheikh Rasheed hinting at his gathering in Rawalpindi on Oct 28.