Islamabad: The administrations and law enforcement agencies of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have initiated extensive security operations in preparation for the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) party’s announced nationwide protest on September 27. To prevent potential disruptions to routine life, traffic, and commercial activities in the federal capital, capital police have placed an order for over 1,000 shipping containers to seal off the Red Zone, High Security Zone, and key entry and exit points, including Faizabad, Tarnol, and Sangjani. Over 100 containers have already been staged along strategic roadsides, while similar demands across Punjab and Sindh have created a nationwide container shortage for suppliers.
Alongside physical blockades, a comprehensive security plan is being finalised that includes requesting over 15,000 additional personnel from the Punjab Police, Sindh Police, Federal Constabulary, and Pakistan Rangers. The capital’s anti riot units have been instructed to audit their inventory and order additional short and long range teargas equipment, while intelligence wings and the Special Branch intensify surveillance on local party leaders and organizers.
Simultaneously, the Rawalpindi district administration has issued 30 day preventive detention orders for more than 30 PTI activists under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). Authorities are currently awaiting a ruling from the Islamabad High Court regarding a citizen petition challenging the protest before finalising operational deployment.
