Islamabad, Rawalpindi deploy 2,000 containers before PTI march
Police have sought Rs827 million and extra personnel from Punjab and Sindh as authorities estimate up to 25,000 protesters may arrive.
Authorities have deployed more than 2,000 shipping containers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and at Attock Bridge as they prepare for a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf march expected to reach the capital from September 27, according to Minute Mirror and Dawn.
Islamabad Police have sought Rs827 million to cover container rentals, accommodation, food, transport and anti-riot equipment including tear-gas shells and rubber bullets, Minute Mirror reported. Security officials estimate that between 20,000 and 25,000 protesters could gather in Islamabad.
The PTI has announced a long march beginning from different parts of the country on September 27. Participants could reach the capital within three to four days, and authorities have told police and other departments to complete preparations by the evening of September 26. The restrictions could continue for around a week.
More than 1,550 containers are to be supplied by contractors, of which around 350 are for the Red Zone. Containers are being placed along Margalla Road, Faisal Avenue, Khayaban-e-Suhrawardy, Third Avenue, Islamabad Expressway and Srinagar Highway, and some are being welded together and filled with sand and gravel. The Red Zone has seven designated entry points, including Khayaban-e-Suhrawardy, Old Parade Ground/Jinnah Avenue and Aga Khan Road.
Islamabad Police have asked Punjab for 16,000 personnel and 4,000 anti-riot kits, and Sindh for 2,000 officials and 3,000 kits. More than four dozen buildings, including government schools, marquees, the Sports Complex and Pak-China Friendship Centre, have been identified to house the additional forces. Several schools used for accommodation have been closed, and authorities expect traffic congestion on the Expressway, Srinagar Highway, Margalla Road and roads around the Red Zone.
In Rawalpindi, nine police pickets have been established around the Red Zone with round-the-clock deployment. Pickets are at MH Chowk, Saddar Chowk, T&T Chowk, RA Bazaar Road and Chungi No. 22, and the Dolphin Force is patrolling designated areas. Police have been directed to inspect hotels and inns.
In Attock, which links Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, containers and sand-filled bags have been placed at Attock Bridge and Haroon Bridge, and additional personnel deployed at Chach and Ghazi interchanges along the GT Road and motorway. Punjab Police sources told Minute Mirror that around 30,000 personnel, including senior officers, are being deployed in Attock, and some schools in Hazro have been closed to house police.
Asia News Network reported that Imran Khan's son said his aunts and cousins had been detained as the crackdown widened ahead of the march, while The Media Line reported that Mr Khan's sister had been detained.
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