Islamabad fortifies against opposition protest with 2,000 containers, 16,000 police personnel. PTI march expected late September.
Pakistan’s capital is fortifying itself ahead of an expected opposition march, with security forces deploying over 2,000 containers at key entry points and requesting Rs827 million for crowd control. Police anticipate 20,000 to 25,000 protesters arriving by late September, with major roads and the Red Zone expected to face severe restrictions.
- ▪Islamabad police requested Rs827m to cover container rentals, food, accommodation, equipment and anti-riot supplies for deployed forces.
- ▪PTI long march expected to begin Sept 27 from various parts of the country, potentially reaching capital within 3-4 days.
- ▪About 1,550 containers being deployed, including 350 to seal the Red Zone; approximately 1,000 will block major entry points and highways.
- ▪Police personnel arriving from Punjab and Sindh; 16,000 requested from Punjab alone plus 4,000 anti-riot kits; 2,000 from Sindh with 3,000 kits.
- ▪Container walls being welded together and filled with gravel and sand to prevent removal; seven Red Zone entry gates will be closed.
- ▪Over 50 schools and government buildings temporarily closed and repurposed as accommodation for visiting police personnel.
- ▪Attock Bridge, a key KP-Punjab crossing, heavily fortified with containers and sandbags; about 30,000 Punjab Police personnel deployed district-wide.
- ▪Nine police pickets established in Rawalpindi’s Red Zone with 24-hour round-the-clock presence in 12-hour shifts.
- ▪Dolphin Force patrols authorized; hotels and inns in Rawalpindi being checked as part of security protocol.
- ▪Major Islamabad routes including Expressway, Srinagar Highway and Margalla Road expected to face severe congestion and travel delays.
Source: according to media reports
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