Containers, prison vans, police forces deployed on main routes across Pindi division
RAWALPINDI:
When the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Rawalpindi division announced a complete strike and demonstrations to be held in the evening, the police moved in to enforce Section 144.
Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema immediately moved to ban rallies, sloganeering, aerial firing under Section 144 yesterday as PTI announced rallies in all six districts of Rawalpindi appealing party workers to march to protect Pakistan’s constitution.
In a move to counter the call for strike and demonstrations, police raided all towns in the division, including Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Tala Gang, Marri, Kotli Sattian, and arrested 11 party workers. But police failed to arrest any of the key leaders as major raids proved unsuccessful. Anticipating the raids, the party leaders had taken steps to avoid being arrested.
PTI has planned to hold rallies at 9 PM from Murree Road, Rawal Road, Pirwadhai, Saddar and Chandni Chowk. Police from all police stations have been deployed at key junctions in all six districts of the division, including Rawalpindi. Police commandos along with women police have been deployed. All seven prison vans bringing the accused to court from Adiala jail and armored vehicles have also been parked on Murree Road. Containers have been placed at busy intersections and drones will be used to monitor the protesters.
Police leave has been canceled and a precautionary state of emergency has been put in place at hospitals across the city, where all doctors are expected to be present.
The police are on alert on all routes and intersections from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Anti-riot forces have also been deployed.
However, PTI workers have been absent throughout the day and are expected to appear at the rallies in the evening at their designated locations. PTI National Assembly candidate Shehryar Riaz and Provincial Assembly central leadership candidate Ziad Khaliq Kayani have said that according to the appeal of the Movement for Protection of the Constitution, they will go on a full strike in Rawalpindi. “February 8 is the day the election was stolen. On this day we will stay at home and vehicles will remain parked. The entire nation will protest strongly,” they said.
Both leaders separately addressed the workers’ meeting and reiterated that a full strike would represent the voice of the nation.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman supported the PTI call by canceling his own protest scheduled for February 8.
