DID Press: Pakistani authorities have stepped up security measures in the capital Islamabad ahead of planned protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on September 27, requesting the deployment of 23,500 additional police personnel from Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan provinces.
Under the security plan, the reinforcements are expected to be deployed in Islamabad by September 20. Authorities have also begun positioning more than 1,000 shipping containers at entry points and other sensitive locations to control traffic and prevent large gatherings.
Gohar Ali Khan, chairman of PTI, stressed that the planned demonstrations would be peaceful and called for an end to the detention of party activists in Punjab. He said PTI members would come to Islamabad seeking “justice and fairness” and urged the government to pursue dialogue rather than a security crackdown.
Gohar also called for access to former Prime Minister and PTI leader Imran Khan, stressing the need to allow party officials and supporters to meet with him.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has banned gatherings of more than five people until September 17, citing security warnings over possible terrorist attacks.
In Rawalpindi, the city neighboring Islamabad, police leave has been canceled, while preventive detention orders have reportedly been issued against dozens of PTI members.
Government officials have accused opposition groups of attempting to bring armed individuals into the capital. Senior PTI figures have rejected the allegations, accusing the government instead of suppressing the party and unlawfully arresting its members.