Police cancel leaves as PTI protests loom

Impose Section 144, prohibiting gatherings and display of weapons

RAWALPINDI:

In response to the planned protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Rawalpindi, the local police have abruptly cancelled leave for officers and personnel, recalling those on holiday to duty. Officers who fail to report back to their posts face termination.

To maintain law and order, authorities have imposed Section 144 across the division from September 28 to 29, prohibiting gatherings, political rallies and the display of weapons. PTI has called for protests on September 29 at various locations, including Liaquat Bagh.

Since last night, police have initiated a series of raids and door-to-door searches to apprehend PTI leaders and active supporters to keep them away from the protests. As part of these efforts, Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO), Khalid Hamdani, issued a memo informing all relevant authorities, including divisional superintendents and station house officers, about cancelling all types of leave due to the current situation.

The memo emphasised that all personnel must report to their designated areas immediately, warning that non-compliance or absence could result in dismissal.

In light of the party's planned protests on Saturday (tomorrow) and a sit-in by Jamaat-e-Islami on Sunday, the Punjab government has enforced Section 144 across Rawalpindi and the surrounding districts of Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum. A notification from the Punjab Home Department confirmed the ban on political gatherings and the display of firearms for both days.

Crackdown

On the other hand, the Rawalpindi police launched a crackdown aimed at arresting PTI leaders and supporters. However, late-night raids yielded no arrests of top leaders.

Sources indicate that PTI had originally planned a rally in Rawalpindi on September 28. However, during a recent hearing, PTI founder Imran Khan suggested shifting to a protest instead, coinciding with a lawyers' demonstration outside the Supreme Court.

Following directives from higher authorities, Rawalpindi police conducted door-to-door searches across the district on Thursday and Friday nights, targeting the residences of PTI leaders and activists. A heavy police contingent arrived at the home of PTI's central leader and candidate for National Assembly Constituency NA-56, Shehryar Riaz, but neither he nor his brother, Atif Riaz, were apprehended.

The police also attempted to reach former provincial law minister Raja Basharat, his brother Raja Nasir, and other leaders but were unsuccessful in making arrests. Police operations were ongoing in areas including Naseerabad, Race Course, Civil Lines, Morgah, Newtown, Waris Khan and Pirwadhai, but PTI's strategy to instruct members to avoid arrest limited police success.