Govt chalks out plan to deal with PTI protest

ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR: The federal government has chalked out its strategy to deal with the protest and sit-in call given by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the federal capital on November 24.

The federal government has started preparations to deploy Rangers and additional Frontier Constabulary (FC) force in Islamabad to better handle the law and order situation. Islamabad Police has sought the services of 9,000 personnel of Rangers and FC with full anti-riot kits since November 22. Deployment of 5,000 additional personnel of the Pakistan Rangers and 4,000 of the FC has been sought by the Islamabad Police IG through a letter.

According to sources, the Ministry of Interior has initiated steps to deploy Rangers and FC. The ministry has decided to approach the agencies concerned in this regard. Meanwhile, the Islamabad administration on Monday imposed Section 144 for two months ahead of the potential PTI protest in the federal capital.

According to a notification issued by Additional District Magistrate Usman Ashraf, the ban has been placed on all public gatherings of five or more people, processions, rallies and demonstrations.

The authorities said the decision has been taken in view of law and order situation, citing concerns about potential unlawful assemblies, disruption of public order and the current security environment.

The order specifically mentions concerns about planned religious and other demonstrations in the federal capital, said the notification. The ban prohibits gatherings in all public places within Islamabad’s revenue limits, encompassing the area defined as the Red Zone which includes key government buildings, diplomatic missions and other sensitive locations. The order states that even after the two-month period expires, any ongoing investigations, legal proceedings or penalties related to violations of the ban will continue.

The development comes in light of the Imran Khan-founded party’s planned countrywide demonstration on November 24. The former prime minister had called on his supporters to march to Islamabad, stressing that the party’s entire leadership will be part of the protest.

On the other hand, the PTI has finalised its strategy to march on Islamabad. Party sources claim that around 10,000 workers have already reached Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and nearby areas.

The party leadership had instructed all office-bearers, MPAs, and MNAs to mobilise active workers from their constituencies and ensure their arrival in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and surrounding cities before November 24. According to sources, all workers have been directed to stay at undisclosed locations. Reliable sources informed The News that selected workers from the Hazara Division will reach Islamabad via Haripur and Murree routes, while specific workers from the southern districts will use Fateh Jang and alternative routes to enter the capital.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government and PTI’s provincial spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif told the News that complete arrangements have been made to remove all obstacles. He stated that similar hurdles were erected in the past, but PTI workers and the public overcame them and reached Islamabad. He expressed confidence that on November 24, a massive crowd would once again converge on Islamabad and warned the “illegitimate government” against the folly of erecting barriers, as containers would prove to be nothing more than sand walls before the public’s passion.

He further added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, a large convoy from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would reach Islamabad and would not return until their demands were met. Dr Saif emphasised that this time, the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are resolute about restoring the public mandate by freeing all political prisoners, including Imran Khan.

Irfan Saleem, President of PTI Peshawar, told this correspondent that the target is to mobilise 65,000 workers from 13 provincial constituencies and 50,000 from five national assembly constituencies in Peshawar. Haji Fazal Elahi, a MPA from Peshawar, mentioned that workers are enthusiastic and all expenses are being borne personally, with additional support from the workers themselves.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, said that the protest would not only take place in Islamabad, but throughout Pakistan and across the world where Imran’s supporters were present. The party has made four demands — revoke the 26th Constitutional Amendment, “restore” democracy and Constitution, return the public’s mandate, and release all “innocent political” prisoners.

The lawyer said that the party founder had also formed a committee for the march and asked not to reveal the names of those who were part of it as Imran feared they would be arrested. The PTI founder chairman has been behind bars since August 2023 after he was booked in several cases ranging from corruption to terrorism.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Central Apex Committee of the National Action Plan called by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the wake of increasing incidents of terrorism in the country could not be held on Monday.

According to government sources, the meeting would now be chaired by the prime minister at the PM House here today (Tuesday). Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Senator Aurangzeb, Interior Minister Senator Mohsin Naqvi, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Atta Tarar, Law Minister Senator Azim Nazir Tarar, the Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan chief ministers, Azad Jammu and Kashmir prime minister, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, ISI, ISPR DGs, DGMO, DGMI, interior secretary, DG IB, DG FIA, Nacta national coordinator, all chief secretaries and IGs will attend the meeting.

The meeting would be briefed on the implementation of the National Action Plan by the Ministry of Interior and sensitive institutions. The meeting would discuss the country’s internal security situation and approve a framework for counter-terrorism. Important decisions are expected to be taken in this important meeting of the political and military leadership.