Pindi put on high alert ahead of PTI’s march
The Punjab provincial home department has issued a high alert for Rawalpindi ahead of the arrival of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf long march.
The provincial home department has asked the district administration, police, law enforcement agencies and hospitals to remain on high alert and take precautionary measures ahead of the protest march.
A letter containing an advisory and guidelines has been sent to the police department and authorities concerned to ensure foolproof security of sensitive installations and buildings.
Law enforcement agencies have been directed to ensure the security of the march route and deploy personnel around all important buildings.
Special Branch has been instructed to monitor the march route.
The Counter Terrorism Department has been instructed to monitor banned organisations.
Meanwhile, a central room has been set up at the assistant commissioner (headquarters)’s office to share information with the authorities.
The assistant commissioner Gujjar Khan has been asked to arrange medical facilities when the marchers enter the Rawalpindi limits.
The assistant commissioner Taxila has been instructed to arrange health facilities for the marchers coming from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The Chief Traffic Officer Rawalpindi has been given instructions to prepare a traffic plan for the march participants and to regulate.
The Civil Defence Department has been instructed to arrange the bomb disposal squad vehicle before the marchers enter Rawalpindi.
All three allied hospitals of Rawalpindi have also been asked to remain on high alert to cope with emergencies.
The Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi has been asked to remain on high alert till the end of the long march.
Meanwhile, security agencies suggested increasing the security of offices of political parties, residences of leaders, international food chains and petrol pumps.
Sources said that the deployment of additional security personnel had also been proposed to ensure the march route.
The security of the Islamabad International Airport, the Noor Khan Airbase and Sehala Oil Depot will be enhanced during the long march.
Meanwhile, the PTI’s local leadership and workers have completed preparation to welcome the march participants.
Murree Road and other highways have been adorned with welcome banners.
Despite a ban, large banners and panafelx pictures have been hung down the pillars of the metro bus track.
The PTI marchers are expected to enter Rawalpindi next Monday via Rawat T-Chowk.
More than 20 camps will be set up between Liaquat Bagh Chowk and Faizabad Interchange to welcome the march participants.
The PTI leaders said that there was no obstacle from the district administration and that all arrangements were being made without obstacles.
Earlier, Punjab government's spokesperson Fayyazul Hasan Chauhan confirmed to The Express Tribune that the reception camps have started to be set up on Murree Road to welcome the participants of the long march.
Camps will be held by each union council at Murree Road, Murrir Chowk, Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk, Waris Khan, Kohati Bazar, Asghar Mall Chowk, Chandni Chowk and Rahmanabad Chowk.
There will be a reception camp for lawyers in District Kachheri Chowk.
Meanwhile, the food and catering business in Rawalpindi has witnessed a boom ahead of the arrival of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf long march participants as the local leadership has placed bulk orders for rice, korma and naan to welcome party workers.