Ahead of marchers’ arrival, Islamabad’s ‘red zone’ is extended to Zero Point
Interior Minister warns Imran’s men against crossing the ‘red line’
Islamabad: With the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) much-anticipated long march drawing closer and November 4, Friday being the “D-day,” the federal government has taken a number of steps to keep the marchers away from the boundaries of the federal capital.
The preventive measures include extension of Red Zone, imposition of Section 144 and deployment of paramilitary forces at sensitive points.
As per the government’s decision, the Red Zone has been extended from Ataturk Avenue to Faisal Avenue and up to Zero Point which is considered the entry point of the capital.
The extended Red Zone has been given the name of “Red Zone-II” and the district administration has disallowed all kind of processions or sit-ins inside it.
The district administration has also stated that Section 144 will remain imposed (which bans gathering of four or more people) in the areas declared as Red Zone.
Red Zone is our red line
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has already warned the PTI chief former Prime Minister Imran Khan against crossing the Red Zone as “it is the government’s red line.”
He said the PTI could stage its long march at the federal capital’s sectors H-9 and G-9 as allocated by courts, but the long march’s participants were not allowed to enter the Red Zone, which would be protected by Rangers and Pakistan Army personnel.
According to officials, the interior ministry has already decided to deploy around 30,000 police, rangers, and paramilitary troops in Islamabad and will not allow protesters to enter the Red Zone.
Imran keeps his cards to his chest
On the other hand, PTI Chairman is giving a surprise to the government on a daily basis as he concludes the march each night and asks his men to return and join the rally next morning.
The strategy has left the police and the law-enforcement agencies guessing what Imran Khan wants to achieve by sending the participants home at night and summoning them in the morning.
According to analysts, by adopting this unique tactic, Imran Khan in fact wants his men not to get worn out and remain fresh and full of energy by the time they arrive in Islamabad.
Earlier in May, Imran Khan’s march was though big but the participants were quite tired and fatigued when they reached the federal capital. As a result, when the police resorted to baton-charge and tear gas they could not stand it and dispersed.
However, this time, Imran Khan is keeping mum about his strategy and claims this time he will give the government a surprise.
Meanwhile, in order to deal with the protest which is likely to reach the federal capital on November 4, at least 4,199 Islamabad police officials, 1,022 Sindh police, 4,265 FC personnel, and 3,600 Rangers have been deployed in different areas of the capital.