Govt spent over Rs500m to contain PTI protest

The federal government spent more than Rs500 million in Islamabad alone on security measures and other related expenses to manage the PTI protest, sources told Express News.

The PTI, demanding a series of measures, including the release of its founder Imran Khan—who has been in jail since August 2023 facing multiple cases—and the resignation of the current government, launched a protest march from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday. The rally ended late Tuesday night following a government operation against the party's protesters in Islamabad.

Following the government action, senior PTI leadership reportedly fled from Islamabad's D-Chowk. A day later, party leader and Khyber-Pakhtunkwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur resurfaced in Mansehra, declaring the sit-in a "movement" that "will continue until further orders from party founder Imran Khan".

Sources told Express News that the federal capital police had to bear an expenditure of Rs332.8 million, primarily related to security arrangements, including container rentals, procurement of 35,000 tear gas shells, rubber bullets, and guns.

A total of 12,000 security personnel, including 7,000 from the federal police, Punjab police, Sindh police, and FC, were deployed across Islamabad from November 23 to 26. An amount of Rs170 million was allocated for their meals, vehicle fuel, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Sources revealed that 800 containers were placed to seal Islamabad at 24 locations, including D-Chowk, Jinnah Avenue, Zero Point, Srinagar Highway, Faizabad, Golra Mor, 26 Number Chungi, Margalla Road, Kulsoom Chowk, all flyovers, and 9th Avenue.

Police sources stated that container rentals alone had cost the Islamabad police a total of Rs72.8 million as of Nov 28.