fairwheelsRecent developments in Islamabad highlight an alarming trend involving intensified police surveillance. Following anti-government protests led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Islamabad police have been stopping citizens at checkposts and conducting invasive searches of their smartphones. Reports indicate that officers are specifically scrutinizing messaging apps like WhatsApp and social media accounts for any connections to PTI or the protests. The searches are reportedly taking place in key areas such as Margalla Avenue and F-11 Markaz, raising concerns about privacy violations​.
Critics have condemned these actions as an overreach of state power, noting that such searches should legally require a warrant. There has been no official statement or notification from the authorities justifying the searches, which further exacerbates concerns about the violation of citizens’ privacy rights​. This situation has sparked widespread criticism, particularly regarding the disregard for personal and family privacy during these checks.
The heightened surveillance comes amid a broader crackdown on PTI supporters, with hundreds of arrests reported across Islamabad and Rawalpindi following the protests. Authorities claim these measures are necessary to prevent further unrest, but many view them as an abuse of power intended to suppress dissent​.
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