Security tightened across Islamabad and Rawalpindi ahead of PTI long march
Rawalpindi division deploys 43,000 police, and Balochistan bans public gatherings for 30 days as authorities prepare for the September 27 march.
Authorities have tightened security in Islamabad and northern Punjab ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) long march announced for 27 September, with more than 43,000 police deployed in Rawalpindi division alone and Rangers requested under Article 245, Express News reported on Thursday.
According to Express News, Attock will have over 30,000 police and Rawalpindi district over 10,000, with personnel positioned at 26 entry points and 73 blocking points in Rawalpindi. The report said police have asked for 500 repeater guns, 57,000 rubber bullets, 710 tear gas guns, thousands of additional shells, 4,050 anti-riot kits, 4,000 long transparent shields, 1,500 bulletproof helmets and 1,500 bulletproof jackets. Twelve quadcopters and their operators have also been requisitioned.
Punjab's home department has recommended Rangers deployment: three companies for Rawalpindi, five wings for Attock, two companies for Taxila, and one company each for Jhelum and Mianwali. The deployment has been sought from 22 September to 5 October. Authorities have adopted a wait-and-see policy and will keep Rawalpindi and Islamabad open until the march approaches, Express News said.
Motorway M1 from Islamabad toll plaza to Chhachh interchange and M14 from Hakla to Kundal are closed to all traffic, as is GT Road N5 at Attock Khurd. Several interchanges remain shut until further orders.
Separately, Independent Urdu reported that thousands of containers have been placed on Islamabad roads, entry points and around the Red Zone to block protesters. The federal government has also decided to inaugurate Model Jail Islamabad next month. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi directed officials to complete remaining work without delay, saying the project has been pending for 15 years.
Balochistan's home department has imposed restrictions across the province for 30 days from 23 September. A notification bans the display, carrying and use of weapons in public, gatherings of five or more people, sit-ins, processions, rallies, protests and covering the face to hide identity, Independent Urdu reported.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said no emergency has been imposed in the province, but that a few elements were promoting separatist thinking on the basis of identity. Addressing the 21st National Workshop Balochistan on Thursday, he said no conspiracy to break Pakistan will succeed. He added that Baloch youth were being pushed towards a fruitless war, and that unbalanced development and deprivation were not the central cause of unrest, according to Independent Urdu.
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