ISLAMABAD: Around 30,000 security personnel of the police and of other law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) would be deployed in the federal capital for peace, sources said as the federal government finalised its plan for security ahead of the PTI’s planned long march.

At least Rs15 million would be the monthly cost of security personnel’s food, containers, and other expenses, they said, adding that the finance and interior ministries have been informed about the expenses.

It is expected that a large number of protesters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the PTI government is ruling, would be coming.

Sources said the PTI would begin its protest in the third week of October. PTI Chairman Imran Khan directed on Thursday the local leaders in Punjab to gather 6,000 people for the long march from each district of the province.

“I will announce the ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ [real freedom] movement soon. This will be my last call before the election,” he told party workers

Imran Khan, who was deposed through a no-confidence vote in April, has been staging rallies of his party supporters nationwide to press for early general elections, alleging that his successor conspired with the United States to oust him from office.

Senior officers of the federal capital police have recommended shutting down the Islamabad International Airport. They have arranged more than 1,000 containers to seal Islamabad. The government might also shut down schools and colleges and postpone exams during the protest.

Moreover, the government has decided to impose an emergency in all hospitals in Islamabad. They have also canceled the holidays of police, doctors, paramedical staff, and aid agencies.

The government has decided not to allow the possible long march of PTI to enter Islamabad under any circumstances. Pakistan Army may be deputed in the capital under Article 245 (functions of armed forces) of the Constitution of Pakistan. It has been decided not to allow the Long March to enter Islamabad under any circumstances.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that by building a deceitful narrative of conspiracy against his government, Imran Khan committed treason against Pakistan and its people and inflicted irreparable damage to the country’s reputation.