Pakistan to tighten security in Islamabad ahead of protests — Dawn
In Pakistan, more than 22,000 security personnel will be deployed to maintain order in Islamabad ahead of planned protest marches. They will be stationed under the command of eight deputy inspectors general of police, Dawn reports.
Enhanced measures are also being prepared in Attock district, which connects the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. More than 30,000 personnel have been deployed there to ensure security, including additional forces from several Punjab districts, the Punjab Constabulary, police units for countering mass unrest, and other units. Additional personnel are already arriving in Attock and reporting to the district police chief.
Entry points blocked
Authorities plan to block 30 entry points to Islamabad and Rawalpindi, 11 of which are located in Rawalpindi. To prevent participants in possible protests and marches from reaching the cities, containers are being removed in both cities and placed along highways and in open areas.
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Rawalpindi police have requested another 9,000 personnel to assist local forces during the protests. Until October 1, all types of leave for police officers in Rawalpindi district have also been banned, except in cases of extreme necessity.
Planned marches
The Jamaat-e-Islami party, the Kissan Ittehad farmers' association, and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have called for marches and sit-in protests in Islamabad next week. Jamaat-e-Islami opposes the levy on petroleum products, while PTI announced a march on September 27 demanding the release of the party's founder, Imran Khan. Kissan Ittehad is seeking support for farmers.
Hotel rooms, guest houses, government buildings, schools, colleges, a sports complex, banquet halls, and police stations have been designated to accommodate law enforcement officers deployed to the capital. Under the plan, 362 police officers and personnel will be provided with 132 rooms in 13 hotels and guest houses in Islamabad.
