t has been hardly a week since the city witnessed small scale riots following the disqualification of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s chairman Imran Khan by the Election Commission of Pakistan. Now, the party and its chairman have announced a march to the capital. For some naive souls, such as students awaiting their mid-term examinatios, this may sound like relief. But for many, in general, there is concern about safety and carrying on with normal life.

Moments after the ECP announced its verdict, some trees were set on fire at Sohan and many public roads were blocked. In addition to the damage to public property, some law enforcement officials also came under attack.

A guard of a PTI parliamentarian reportedly fire shots and shouted some slogans before being overpowered by the police stationed outside the ECP offices.

Rules and regulations for carrying weapons in Red Zone have been redefined. Regular psychological tests have been mandated for officials allowed to carry weapons in the zone.

Islamabad is a power base for the PTI which won all three National Assembly constituencies from the city in the last general elections. Being federal territory, the city does not have provincial assembly seats.

The PTI enjoys strong support in sectors I-8, F and E. Turnout of PTI voters in high-end housing societies was also considerably more than in rural areas during the previous elections.

Dealing with these crowds is going to be a challenge for law enforcement agencies.

Madi Butt, a young PTI worker, has a business in Islamabad’s Blue Area. He tells The News on Sunday (TNS) that his team will be leading from the front “like in the previous protest”.

Naveed Khan Niazi, another young PTI leader from Islamabad, says that they are in comlpete solidarity with their leader. “Currently, I am in Makkah to perform umrah. But I will be back to attend the PTI march next week,” he tells TNS.

People like Niazi and Butt are regulars in PTI gatherings in and around Islamabad. Other young leaders of the party have berated the city administration for placing containers along the main roads. They say the purpose of these containers is to create hurdles for protestors.

Ali Raza Alvi, a TV host, says that last time the party marched to Islamabad, its workers burnt trees, littered and ransacked several areas.

The Supreme Court had then allowed the party to protest in the city. Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon had been at the venue along the Srinaar Highway allowed for the protest and the district administarion had made arrangements for supply of water and other necessities. However, the protestors, most of them from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad, headed for the Red Zone and remained there until former prime minister Imran Khan declared an end to the activity.

Raja Kamran, a local leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), says that protesting peacefully is every party’s right. He says his party leader Bilawal Bhutto had also led a political march from Karachi to Islamabad in the past. “There was no damage to public property and the march ended peacefully. If others do the same, we will support them as well. But if a law and order situation is created, we will oppose it,” he says.

Kamran says that there is no harm in placing containers on roads to protect citizens.

Zeeshan Naqvi, a PML-N stalwart, says that no one should be allowed to disrupt tranquility and peace of the city. He says that more vigilant policing is needed as criminals can enter Islamabad along with peaceful protestors.

Islamabad has sought help from the FC and Sindh Police.

DC Memon tells TNS that the city administration stands prepared. “All necessary arrangements will be made to maintain law and order,” he adds.

The PTI’s march is schedled to start from Lahore (according to PTI announcements till the filing of this report on Thursday). Till Wednesday night, Memon had said that the protest site in Islamabad had not been finalised.

It is believed that more than 5,000 law enforcement officials will be mobilised to gaurd the city. The cabinet has approved additional spending to maintain law and order and to deal with some unforeseen situation.

Inspector General Dr Nasir Khan is confident that the police will be able to maintain order in the city. Islamabad, he says, is capable of securing its streets on its own.

He says the city has been made safer with the introduction of safe city infrastructure. Now, the police response time for any emergency is four to eight minutes. He also says 2,000 FC personnel have completed anti-riot training and 500 new security cameras have been installed in recent months.

He says the police have acquired modern drones. All 21 telecommunication towers have been made functional, he says, adding that this will not only help monitor large crowds but also individual movements.

He says a lot needs to be done to improve public’s perception about the police. “Image building is a problem. In developed countries, police officials are presented as heroes. We should think along these lines, too,” he says, adding that there is no need to be worried about rioting.

Sharafat Ali Chaudhry, author of a book titled Law and Development, says that three clauses of the constitution grant people the right to move, assemble and protest.

“But all these clauses have conditions that mandate protection of life and property. The city administration will make sure that law and order is not disturbed because of large gatherings.”

In the past, large protests breaking through the barricades in Rawalpindi have caused trouble in Islamabad. Faizabad is generally a favoured spot for such protests. Blocking the junction can stir trouble in both Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Since the PTI march is expected to appraoch Islamabad from GT Road, it will take Islamabad Expressway to reach the city centre. A large crowd, however, will also enter through Srinagar Highway from the KP.

This sound like an assault from two sides. PTI workers from Murree usually amass at Banigala, before entering Red Zone from Rawal Chowk.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah told media on Thursday that the Army and Rangers will be called out to deal with the situation if needed. The police and FC personnel, he said, will be in the front. He said if rioters got past them, the army will deal with them. He said that the government will not allow a “violent group” to enter Islamabad.

Given the growing political uncertainty, it is hard to predict the events a week from now. Cold weather alone can make outdoor assemblies challenging.

The writer teaches development support communication at the International Islamic University Islamabad. He tweets @HassanShehzadZ and can be reached at Hassan.shehzad@iiui.edu.pk