According to a report published by Dawn, the provincial capital witnessed extensive security restrictions on Sunday, with police personnel deployed at key intersections and roads leading to government buildings and other sensitive locations.
The situation marked a departure from the city’s usual political environment, where tensions between the provincial and federal governments had often coexisted with a degree of political stability.
The report said mobile phone signals were unavailable in the morning, while Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations remained closed. The Grand Trunk Road was blocked at Firdous Chowk with shipping containers, allowing pedestrians to pass while restricting other movement.
Police personnel were deployed along the road between Hospital Road and Firdous Chowk, also known as Malik Saad Shaheed Chowk. Access to several nearby roads was restricted, forcing commuters to take alternative routes.
Security was also tightened around Bala Hisar Fort, which houses the headquarters of Frontier Corps North, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. Roads leading towards Khyber Road, a key route through the city’s red zone, were blocked with containers and barricades.
According to Dawn, police and paramilitary personnel stopped pedestrians from proceeding along several routes, including roads near the central jail and the MPA Hostel. Some commuters were directed towards Shoba Bazaar to reach their destinations.
The Civil Secretariat, which houses key provincial government offices, appeared largely deserted, with only a few vehicles parked outside the chief secretary’s office.
Security was also heightened around the residences of the provincial governor and ministers on Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Road. Police checked people approaching the area, while armoured personnel carriers, a prison van and vehicles carrying riot police were seen moving towards the Chief Minister’s House.
Further restrictions were reported on Khyber Road near Army Stadium, where security personnel prevented people from crossing barricades. Other parts of the city, including University Road and Stadium Chowk, also faced restrictions, with containers allowing vehicles to pass through limited lanes.
The report said University Road was blocked at Tehkal, while Saddar Bazaar remained partially open. Amn Chowk was accessible, although traffic there was lighter than usual.
Internet services were also disrupted in the afternoon, adding to difficulties for residents already facing mobile phone service interruptions and restricted movement.
For years, political marches from Peshawar towards Islamabad have prompted extensive roadblocks and container placements in the federal capital. This time, however, the restrictions were imposed within Peshawar following the federal government’s decision to introduce governor’s rule in the province.
The duration of the restrictions and when normal transport and communication services will resume remained unclear.
