Govt, PTI on collision path
Authorities step up security and surveillance in the capital ahead of November dharna
Authorities step up security and surveillance in the capital ahead of November dharna. PHOTO SOURCE: TWITTER (@aa_cheema)
ISLAMABAD:
The government has decided to step up security and surveillance in the capital following the deadly Quetta attack triggering fears of confrontation with supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf which has warned of consequences if its Nov 2 ‘Islamabad lockdown’ plan is sabotaged.
The top leadership of the ruling PML-N has decided to impose greater restrictions, strict security checks and enhanced surveillance in the capital ahead of the PTI’s protest.
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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave the go-ahead after conferring with his political adviser Asif Kirmani, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar at a meeting on Wednesday.
Participants took stock of input from security agencies which, based on security threats, recommends foolproof security to avert any untoward happening, insiders told The Express Tribune. Sources also cite security alerts in which military and civilian intelligence agencies have advised against big public gatherings in the twin cities in general and in Islamabad in particular.
Until Tuesday, the PML-N leadership had no plans to stop PTI protesters from staging a sit-in anywhere in the capital except Red Zone, D-Chowk, residential neighbourhoods and sensitive areas, officials said, adding that this decision was also under review now.
A PML-N leader said: “God forbid, if anything happens, will Imran Khan take the blame? If a suicide bomber penetrates into the crowd and explodes, who would be cursed other than the government?”
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Sources said protesters would be subjected to thorough search and scanning in case they were allowed to enter Islamabad. “Steps will be taken swiftly to block unauthorised entry in the capital,” one source said.
Authorities have already started taking restrictive measures as additional contingents of police, Frontier Constabulary and Rangers are arriving from different parts of the country and containers are being placed at the entry and exit points.
The Prime Minister House is said to have directed authorities to enhance security vigil and intelligence surveillance at the entry and exit points of Islamabad amidst reports that protesters are sneaking into the capital ahead of the Nov 2 showdown. Reportedly, hotels, guest houses, clubs and other related facilities are also under round-the-clock watch.
Sources said the PML-N Punjab chapter thinks protesters should be denied entry into the capital and the government should exercise its writ. On the other hand, PML-N’s central leaders and government officials oppose the use coercive methods unless provoked.
“If protesters do not challenge the government’s writ, there is not much we can do — we cannot infringe on their democratic right,” a PML-N source said. “Nobody wants to see a repeat of the Model Town incident and draw ire from everywhere.”
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah agreed that peaceful protest was a democratic right of PTI activists “but not at the cost of citizens’ lives.”
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“What happened in Quetta is for everyone to see. No matter how stringent security measures you take, there are some beasts that are always ready to unleash violence,” he told The Express Tribune. “The month of Muharram is not for any misadventure. Currently, security threats are high. Imran Khan and his courtiers better show some sense and act responsibly.”
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mushtaq Ghani criticised the government’s plans. “The PML-N and other opposition parties have staged protests and rallies in different parts of K-P. Never has their movement been restricted due to security reasons because it is our job to provide foolproof security cover,” he told The Express Tribune.
Media reports suggested the government planned large-scale arrests to thwart the PTI’s dharna.
PML-N sources, however, deny any such plan. "There is no decision to arrest any PTI leader, activist or supporter. However, if any individual takes the law in his/her hands and get arrested, then it’s a separate issue,” one source said.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2016.
The government has decided to step up security and surveillance in the capital following the deadly Quetta attack triggering fears of confrontation with supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf which has warned of consequences if its Nov 2 ‘Islamabad lockdown’ plan is sabotaged.
The top leadership of the ruling PML-N has decided to impose greater restrictions, strict security checks and enhanced surveillance in the capital ahead of the PTI’s protest.
In epic slugfest, Shahbaz, Imran turn up the heat
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave the go-ahead after conferring with his political adviser Asif Kirmani, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar at a meeting on Wednesday.
Participants took stock of input from security agencies which, based on security threats, recommends foolproof security to avert any untoward happening, insiders told The Express Tribune. Sources also cite security alerts in which military and civilian intelligence agencies have advised against big public gatherings in the twin cities in general and in Islamabad in particular.
Until Tuesday, the PML-N leadership had no plans to stop PTI protesters from staging a sit-in anywhere in the capital except Red Zone, D-Chowk, residential neighbourhoods and sensitive areas, officials said, adding that this decision was also under review now.
A PML-N leader said: “God forbid, if anything happens, will Imran Khan take the blame? If a suicide bomber penetrates into the crowd and explodes, who would be cursed other than the government?”
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Sources said protesters would be subjected to thorough search and scanning in case they were allowed to enter Islamabad. “Steps will be taken swiftly to block unauthorised entry in the capital,” one source said.
Authorities have already started taking restrictive measures as additional contingents of police, Frontier Constabulary and Rangers are arriving from different parts of the country and containers are being placed at the entry and exit points.
The Prime Minister House is said to have directed authorities to enhance security vigil and intelligence surveillance at the entry and exit points of Islamabad amidst reports that protesters are sneaking into the capital ahead of the Nov 2 showdown. Reportedly, hotels, guest houses, clubs and other related facilities are also under round-the-clock watch.
Sources said the PML-N Punjab chapter thinks protesters should be denied entry into the capital and the government should exercise its writ. On the other hand, PML-N’s central leaders and government officials oppose the use coercive methods unless provoked.
“If protesters do not challenge the government’s writ, there is not much we can do — we cannot infringe on their democratic right,” a PML-N source said. “Nobody wants to see a repeat of the Model Town incident and draw ire from everywhere.”
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah agreed that peaceful protest was a democratic right of PTI activists “but not at the cost of citizens’ lives.”
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“What happened in Quetta is for everyone to see. No matter how stringent security measures you take, there are some beasts that are always ready to unleash violence,” he told The Express Tribune. “The month of Muharram is not for any misadventure. Currently, security threats are high. Imran Khan and his courtiers better show some sense and act responsibly.”
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mushtaq Ghani criticised the government’s plans. “The PML-N and other opposition parties have staged protests and rallies in different parts of K-P. Never has their movement been restricted due to security reasons because it is our job to provide foolproof security cover,” he told The Express Tribune.
Media reports suggested the government planned large-scale arrests to thwart the PTI’s dharna.
PML-N sources, however, deny any such plan. "There is no decision to arrest any PTI leader, activist or supporter. However, if any individual takes the law in his/her hands and get arrested, then it’s a separate issue,” one source said.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2016.