PTI's Lahore shutdown: 15,000 policemen deployed to maintain law and order situation

An additional 3,000 officials of the Punjab Constabulary have also been deployed

LAHORE: The Lahore police on Monday deployed 15,000 policemen across the city to maintain the law and order situation for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) call for shutdown.

Speaking to The Express Tribune DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf said “Nobody will be allowed to take the law into his own hands.”

He added that 3,000 officials of the Punjab Constabulary had also been deployed.

Dr Ashraf said the PTI leadership claimed the protest would block 18 points in Lahore, and also assured that it would be peaceful.

“There is no information of any violence so far from across the city. However, they have blocked 28 points in Lahore which is a violation,” said Dr Ashraf, adding that the police had spoken to the PTI leadership regarding the blockade at 10 additional places, assuring that those blockages would be removed.

“If someone will try to take law in his own hand, the police will have to deal with [them] with an iron fist,” said Ashraf

Separately, Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Tayyab Hafeez Cheema told The Express Tribune that 3,600 City Traffic Police officials had been deployed to maintain a smooth flow of traffic at alternative routes.

PTI protesters started blocking roads early in the morning on Monday after burning tyres and placing containers.

“We are not stopping any doctor or ambulances from going through the area. It is a peaceful protest which is our democratic right,” one member of the Insaf Student Federation who had blocked Mozang Chungi told The Express Tribune.