The government has decided to deploy Rangers in Islamabad, to avoid the upcoming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ( PTI protest. It will starts from November 22, with additional Frontier Corps (FC) personnel also requested.
The Punjab Police have arrested 107 PTI activists and issued a directive to have 10,000 personnel on standby across the province to deal firmly with anyone attempting to disrupt law and order.
According to sources, the Ministry of Interior has made significant decisions regarding security in the federal capital in relation to the PTI protest scheduled for November 24.
Rangers will be deployed throughout Islamabad from November 22, and further FC units will be stationed in anticipation of the protest. Additional FC personnel have already been requested.
In Punjab, the police have begun preparations to counter the PTI’s protest in Islamabad, issuing a memo to have 10,700 police officers on standby across the province. The Punjab Police have decided to take strict measures against those threatening public safety.
The memo, issued by the Additional Inspector General (AIG), states that 10,700 officers have been put on standby, drawn from various units, districts, and other wings, including PTI.
According to the memo, 3,500 personnel from the Punjab Highway Patrol (PHP) and 1,000 from the Police Commandos (PC) are on standby, with 3,000 already present. Additionally, 1,000 from the Special Protection Unit (SPU) and 1,200 from the Training Directorate are also on standby.
The memo indicates that 1,300 personnel are already in place from the Gujranwala region, with 500 from the Sargodha region on standby and 400 already present. From Sheikhupura, 200 and from Nankana Sahib, 100 officers are on standby.
Furthermore, 200 personnel from Bahawalnagar and 300 from Bahawalpur are also on standby, along with 300 from Muzaffargarh and 200 from Okara.
The memo states that the force will be equipped with anti-riot gear, and the respective district and unit’s Regional Police Officer (RPO), City Police Officer (CPO), and District Police Officer (DPO) will be responsible for transportation of the force.
Following orders from the Inspector General of Punjab, the AIG Operations Punjab has sent the memo to the relevant officials.
Police crackdown on PTI activists ahead of protestIn response to the PTI’s call for a protest on November 24, police have become active, with Lahore Police arresting 107 PTI activists during a crackdown.
Police sources indicate that the crackdown is ongoing, and further arrests are expected. Many active PTI members and leaders have gone into hiding.
Additionally, police sources mentioned that since May 9, various incidents have led to the filing of 65 First Information Reports (FIRs), with 1,909 PTI activists and leaders wanted by the police. Operations to apprehend the suspects are currently underway.
Under the direction of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, two committees have been established in the twin cities for the protest scheduled on November 24. Late at night, PTI leaders held a crucial meeting at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad to discuss protest strategies and potential negotiations. Additionally, a monitoring cell has been set up for the PTI’s protest movement.
Details indicate that two 12-member committees have been formed for the twin cities, with six PTI leaders each from Islamabad and Rawalpindi included.
PTI Additional Secretary General Firdous Shamim issued a notification listing the committee members. The Islamabad committee will be led by Amir Mughal, Shoaib Shaheen, Ali Bukhari, Sher Afzal Marwat, Qazi Tanveer, and Malik Amir. For Rawalpindi, the committee includes Chaudhry Amir Afzal, Aqlak Khan, Raja Basharat, Simabiah Tahir, Shehryar Riaz, and Colonel (Retd) Ajmal Sabir.
In another development, PTI leaders convened at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad to strategize for the November 24 protest. Barrister Gohar met with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to discuss protest strategies and expected negotiations.
During the meeting, discussions focused on the upcoming protest, considering both protest and negotiation options simultaneously. Barrister Gohar stated that they are consulting on negotiation strategies and had also met with Imran Khan that morning to discuss the negotiation option.
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Furthermore, a monitoring cell has been established for the PTI protest movement. This cell will track how many participants each member brings to the protest and who reaches the destination or goes missing along the way.
Sources indicate that the monitoring cell has begun compiling a list of participants, creating separate teams for men and women in central districts.
Each member of the provincial assembly and National Assembly will also be monitored. Monitoring teams will operate discreetly and maintain contact with leaders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leading the protest convoys. The monitoring cell will function from the Rescue 1122 headquarters.
