Almost the entire Rawalpindi has been sealed as containers, dumpers, loaded trucks and barbed wires have been placed at 25 points on the routes leading to the city as Rawalpindi and Islamabad Police jointly chalk out a strategy to frustrate PTI’s plan to hold a protest demonstration at Liaquat Bagh in the garrison city on Saturday. Sources in the police informed that similarly roads leading to Islamabad have also been sealed at nine points in order to prevent the PTI workers from sneaking into the federal capital. Elaborating further, they said that Fateh Jang Toll Plaza, Kacha Stop, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Shamsabad, Faizabad, IJP Road, Double Road, Katarian Bridge, Pandora Chowrangi and Khana Pull are among some of the places in Rawalpindi that have been closed for traffic.

Likewise, they have said that the roads have been blocked at Koral, T-Chowk, Khana, Faizabad, IJP Junction, 26 No, Golra Morr, B-17, Margalla Road and the GT Road so that the protestors could be denied entry into the federal capital. However, the Islamabad Expressway and the Faizabad Flyover are open for traffic. Likewise, IJP Colonel Sher Khan Road is also open for traffic.  Sources have also informed that over 4,000 police officials and personnel, armed with anti-riot equipment, will perform duties in the district.  Additional police pickets will be set up at 31 district spots in the city, and each picket will be manned by a DSP, two SHOs along with a contingent. Sources have said that anti-riot equipment has also been provided to the Elite Force and the Patrolling Unit to assist the Punjab Police in keeping the party workers could be kept at bay.

On the other hand, Islamabad Police have been tasked with arresting the protestors. Section 144 has already been enforced in the twin cities for two days while Liaquat Bagh, the venue for the demonstration, has been closed and police personnel have been deployed around it.  Sources have informed that the workers taking the law into their own hands will be arrested immediately. On the other hand, all arrangements are complete and pumped up PTI workers are ready to leave for Rawalpindi from their respective areas. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur will leave Swabi for Rawalpindi at 12:00 PM. And before leaving, he will address the workers at Swabi Interchange. The spokesman for the CM has said that the PTI workers will not be deterred by the impediments created in their way and will reach Liaquat Bagh at all costs.  He has said that the caravans of party workers, led by MNAs and MPAs of their areas, will leave for Rawalpindi from all districts of the province.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan