Urdu Report Desk
Islamabad’s Red Zone is being sealed with containers as authorities step up security ahead of planned protest marches and sit-ins by Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Containers have been placed at several entry and exit points, including Serena Chowk, while some are being reinforced by welding them together with iron bars and plates.
Sources said the welding is intended to make the containers more difficult to move. Additional containers are also being placed behind the barriers after walls of containers were established around the Red Zone.
At Serena Chowk, containers are being joined and welded together to strengthen security barriers in case of a protest march or sit-in.
آسلام آباد ریڈزون کو مکمل سیل کردیا گیا۔۔کنٹینرز کو ڈبل کر کے ویلڈنگ بھی کردی گئی ۔ pic.twitter.com/OH7gvhX5YX
— Urdu Report (@UrduReportpk) September 19, 2026
Jamaat-e-Islami’s Super Long March Begins Today
Jamaat-e-Islami’s “Super Long March,” led by Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, is scheduled to begin on September 20 against the petroleum levy. The party’s main demand is the withdrawal of the petroleum levy and relief for consumers from fuel prices.
According to Jamaat-e-Islami, its main caravan will travel from Karachi toward Islamabad by train, while workers from different parts of the country will join the march. The train march was scheduled to depart Karachi Cantt Railway Station at 10am.
Background to the Petroleum Levy Protest
Jamaat-e-Islami has been holding protests and sit-ins in different cities since August 16 against the petroleum levy and fuel prices. Protest activities have been reported in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and other locations.
The party maintains that the government should withdraw the petroleum levy instead of placing an additional financial burden on the public. Its sit-in in Karachi continued for several weeks before preparations were made to turn the campaign into a march toward Islamabad.
Talks Between Government and JI End Without Agreement
The government and Jamaat-e-Islami have held several rounds of talks over the petroleum levy. The fifth round, held at Mansoorah in Lahore on September 19, also ended without a final agreement.
The government delegation included Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah and Punjab Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq.
The government asked Jamaat-e-Islami to postpone the march citing security concerns. The party, however, said the march would not be withdrawn without concrete progress toward ending the petroleum levy.
JI Says March Will Continue
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the party could consider a concrete government proposal to abolish the petroleum levy, but a relief package or assurances alone would not be enough to cancel the march.
Jamaat-e-Islami said its campaign was aimed at securing economic relief for the public rather than targeting any political party or individual. The party also said the march would remain peaceful and democratic and that unnecessary disruption to daily life would be avoided.
PTI Plans Islamabad Protest on September 27
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has announced a long march and nationwide protest in Islamabad on September 27, 2026.
According to PTI, its key demands include the release of Imran Khan, supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has been announced as the leader of the march, while the party has instructed workers and caravans from different parts of the country to join the central protest.
PTI Maintains September 27 Date
Despite the government’s request to postpone the September 27 protest, PTI and its allies have continued to state that the scheduled date will be maintained.
On September 19, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said that only PTI founder Imran Khan could decide whether to postpone the September 27 protest. He also said that the Tehreek Tahafuz Aain-e-Pakistan had assured PTI of its support.
TTAP Backs PTI March
The Tehreek Tahafuz Aain-e-Pakistan has announced its support for PTI’s September 27 march. According to the alliance, political, media and public outreach campaigns will be pursued jointly.
The alliance has described the planned protest as a peaceful, constitutional and democratic struggle.
Security Tightened in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Security arrangements have been tightened in Islamabad and Rawalpindi ahead of Jamaat-e-Islami’s September 20 march and PTI’s September 27 protest.
According to reports, preparations are underway to block roads and seal different routes in sensitive areas of the capital. Containers are also being placed at entrances to the Red Zone.
Police and the administration in the twin cities have been directed to strengthen security arrangements, while steps have also been taken to keep hospitals prepared for a possible emergency situation.
Two Key Protest Dates
Security arrangements in the federal capital are currently focused on Jamaat-e-Islami’s march on September 20 and PTI’s planned protest on September 27.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s campaign is primarily focused on the petroleum levy and fuel prices, while PTI’s protest centers on the release of Imran Khan, constitutional supremacy and other political demands.
The government has requested both parties to postpone their planned protests, but according to their latest statements, Jamaat-e-Islami and PTI remain committed to their announced protest schedules.
