PTI’s ‘Jail Bharo’ drive: prison vans put on standby

Rawalpindi police anti-riots squad to be on high alert

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi police have made arrangements for additional prisoner vehicles in wake of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s ‘Jail Bharo’ drive.

Sources said the prison vans in Adiala Jail have been put on standby.

A senior police officer, on condition of anonymity, said that the Rawalpindi police had arranged for additional prison vehicles ahead of the "Jail Bharo" drive.

The official said that 10 police buses included in the Rawalpindi police fleet can also be used in case of need.

According to the PTI’s announcement, arrests will be given under the ‘Jail Bharo’ drive from Friday, February 24.

A heavy contingent of police will be deployed outside Liaquat Bagh on Friday morning. The Rawalpindi police have also directed to put the anti-riots force on high alert.

The police officer said that additional police personnel will be deployed to control the law and order situation while additional prisoner vans have also been sought from Adiala jail police. He said that the jail authorities have kept 20 prison vans on standby which can be called at any time.

The police officer further said that the police do not have the power to arrest anyone under the ‘Jail Bharo’ movement but the deputy commissioner can order the police under section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960.

“The PTI leaders will be detained and transferred to jail if the district administration orders the police. The police have no powers to arrest peaceful people,” he said.

The police officer said that orders have been given to City, Waris Khan, Ganj Mandi and Bani police stations near Liaquat Bagh to deploy a heavy police force near Liaquat Bagh on Friday morning.

He said that if members of the political party violate any law, riot or block the roads, then the police will formally arrest such workers and transfer them first to the police station and then cases will be registered against them on charges of disturbing the law and order.

Those arrested under the ‘Jail Bharo’ movement will not be transferred to the police stations instead they will be transferred directly to the jail under the executive order.

On the other hand, the Adiala Jail administration said that the jail was already filled with more prisoners than its actual capacity.

In such a situation if a large number of political activists are sent to jail, then the jail authorities have no place to confine such prisoners.

Jail sources said that Adiala Jail has the capacity to keep 2,500 prisoners but at present, there are more than 3,500 prisoners in the jail and there is no place to keep more prisoners.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2023.