- Over 10,700 police officers to remain on standby for PTI protest: letter.
- The Punjab Police letter said the standby force comprises PHP 3,500.
- Islamabad administrator seeks 8,000 policemen from Punjab, Kashmir and Sindh.
Days ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest scheduled for November 24 in Islamabad, Punjab and Islamabad police have intensified preparations to maintain law and order as authorities have promised to take strict action against any attempt to disrupt the peace.
More than 10,700 police officers from across Punjab have been put on standby, according to a letter issued by the Additional Inspector General (AIG) Operations to all concerned officers on the request of the Punjab Police Chief.
The standby force includes 3,500 personnel from the Punjab Highway Patrol, 1,000 personnel from the Special Protection Unit and 1,200 personnel from the Training Directorate, the letter said.
The action taken by the Punjab Police follows the PTI’s call for nationwide protests on November 24, with former Prime Minister Imran Khan urging his supporters to march towards Islamabad, stressing that the entire the party leadership would actively participate in the demonstration.
Khan’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry said the protest would not only take place in Islamabad, but also across Pakistan and the world where Imran’s supporters were present.
The party made four demands: revoke the 26th constitutional amendment, “restore” democracy and the Constitution, make the mandate public and release all innocent political prisoners.
The Punjab Police deployment plan includes inputs from various regions. For example, 1,300 personnel from Gujranwala are already deployed, while 500 law enforcement personnel from Sargodha will remain on standby.
Other contributions include 200 personnel from Sheikhupura, 300 from Bahawalpur and 300 from Muzaffargarh, the letter said.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad administration has also started preparations to counter the unauthorized PTI rally.
Police were fired with tear gas, rubber bullets and riot gear. Leaves of all officers were cancelled, while the Islamabad administration requisitioned 8,000 more personnel from Punjab, Sindh and Kashmir. The reinforcements are expected to arrive in the federal capital by November 21.
It is worth mentioning here that Section 144, prohibiting gatherings of more than five people, has been imposed in Islamabad for the past two months.
The Rangers and Frontier Corps (FC) are already deployed in Islamabad. The city could be cordoned off with shipping containers by Friday, November 22.
At the same time, the capital’s police have also drawn up lists of potential arrests of elements likely to disturb the peace.