ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has said that the traffic disruption near Islamabad International Airport was caused by security arrangements and was not an attempt to prevent PTI leader Asad Qaiser from traveling.
Speaking on Geo News’ current affairs program “Naya Pakistan,” Chaudhry rejected allegations that the government deliberately obstructed Qaiser’s journey to Gilgit-Baltistan.
“Situation Arose Due to Security Measures”
Talal Chaudhry stated that the incident occurred because of heightened security requirements in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
He said that if authorities had genuinely wanted to stop Asad Qaiser from traveling, there were numerous other methods available, making the accusation illogical.
According to the minister, the government had no intention of preventing any political leader from reaching their destination.
Government Wants Credible Elections
Referring to the upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan elections, Chaudhry emphasized that the government does not want any controversy surrounding the electoral process.
He said that free and credible elections are in the interest of all stakeholders and that no action should be taken that could raise questions about the transparency of the polls.
The minister claimed that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is currently in a strong position in Gilgit-Baltistan and expects to emerge as the majority party after the elections.
High Alert in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Explaining the security situation, Chaudhry said a visiting international delegation in Rawalpindi had led authorities to place both Rawalpindi and Islamabad on high alert.
He revealed that:
- Around 7,500 security personnel were deployed in Rawalpindi.
- A similar number of personnel were deployed in Islamabad in addition to the regular police force.
- Enhanced security checks and traffic control measures resulted in congestion on roads leading to the airport.
He maintained that public safety considerations were the sole reason for the extraordinary arrangements.
Response to PTI’s Allegations
The minister accused PTI of attempting to use the incident for political purposes.
According to him, the opposition party has not made a significant impact on the election campaign in Gilgit-Baltistan over the past week and is therefore trying to remain in the headlines through allegations against the government.
Chaudhry argued that PTI is attempting to establish a narrative ahead of what he described as a possible electoral setback.
He said that linking the traffic disruption to political motives was misleading and ignored the broader security context.
Background of the Incident
Earlier in the day, severe traffic congestion near Islamabad International Airport caused major delays for travelers, resulting in several passengers missing their flights.
Among those affected were PTI leader Asad Qaiser and PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique, both of whom reportedly missed flights to Skardu.
Asad Qaiser had claimed that he initially believed the road closure was related to security arrangements but later alleged that it was intended to prevent him from traveling for election-related activities.
Airport officials later stated that the checkpoint responsible for the congestion was located outside the airport’s administrative jurisdiction.
Political Tensions Ahead of GB Elections
The incident comes at a time when political activity in Gilgit-Baltistan is intensifying ahead of the upcoming elections.
Both government and opposition parties are actively campaigning, and disputes over administrative actions and security measures have become part of the broader political debate.
Observers note that such incidents often attract heightened scrutiny during election periods, with competing political narratives emerging around operational and security-related decisions.
Conclusion
Talal Chaudhry has dismissed claims that authorities deliberately prevented Asad Qaiser from traveling, insisting that the airport traffic chaos was the result of necessary security arrangements linked to a high-alert situation in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. He also rejected PTI’s allegations of political interference, asserting that the government is committed to ensuring credible elections in Gilgit-Baltistan while maintaining public security.
About The Author
