Govt formulates strategy to deal with PTI protest November 24

The incumbent government of Pakistan has formulated a plan to deal with the protest and sit-in of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) scheduled for November 24 in Islamabad.

According to the media reports, the government has started preparations to deploy Rangers and an additional Frontier Constabulary (FC) force in Islamabad to better handle the law and order situation. Islamabad Police have sought the services of 9,000 personnel of Rangers and FC with full anti-riot kits since November 22.

The Islamabad Police Inspector General has requested the deployment of 5,000 more Pakistan Rangers and 4,000 FC soldiers via letter. The Ministry of Interior has made efforts to deploy Rangers and FC. The ministry has decided to address the agencies involved in this matter.

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Meanwhile, the Islamabad administration imposed Section 144 for two months ahead of a possible PTI demonstration in the federal capital. According to a notification issued by Additional District Magistrate Usman Ashraf, any public gatherings of five or more individuals, including processions, rallies, and demonstrations, are prohibited. The authorities stated that the decision was made in light of the law and order situation, citing worries about potential unlawful assembly, disruption of public order, and the existing security environment.

The directive expresses worry over planned religious and other rallies in the federal capital. The prohibition forbids gatherings in all public places within Islamabad’s tax limits, including the Red Zone, which includes critical government facilities, diplomatic missions, and other sensitive sites.

According to the ruling, any existing investigations, legal procedures, or penalties linked to the ban’s violations would continue after the two-month term has expired.

The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and former prime minister Imran Khan has called on PTI supporters to march to Islamabad for the protest and sit-in on November 24, stressing that the party’s entire leadership will be part of the protest.