The Pakistani government has initiated a massive security operation in order to prevent the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, from organising a major "long march" to Islamabad on September 27, according to reports.
The administration has started making plans to stop the protest after the PTI called for one in Islamabad on September 27. The Islamabad Police have detained more than 500 containers to obstruct the roads, according to a report by Voicepk.ne
Regarding the detention of containers, the All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association has written to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, DC Islamabad, and IG Islamabad, requesting their release.
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The written letters state that the Islamabad Police have been holding a lot of cargo trucks and containers for the last five days in order to make preparations and block roads for the political protest that is set for September 27.
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The mobilization to seek Khan's release from prison after three years has been announced by the PTI. In order to transport supporters from all around Pakistan to the capital, the party has been organizing workers and setting up a central convoy.
However, the planned mobilization is being handled by the government as a significant security operation. According to reports, Islamabad authorities have asked for 23,500 more police officers for tasks related to the demonstration and the planned sit-in.
The preparations take place against the backdrop of many clashes between PTI supporters and Pakistani authorities during earlier protests, which resulted in the blocking of highways into Islamabad and the deployment of sizable security forces.
Punjab, the most populous province in Pakistan and a major source of PTI supporters anticipated to take part in the march, has also seen an increase in security measures.
Public gatherings have been restricted by the authorities; gatherings of five or more persons are currently forbidden throughout the province. Security considerations, especially worries about potential terrorist threats, have been used to justify the limits.
Approximately 1,000 shipping containers have reportedly been ordered by Islamabad Police as part of plans to limit travel and obstruct routes that go to sensitive areas of the capital.
Additionally, Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan have been urged by the federal government to supply more police officers for Islamabad's security needs.
Islamabad is preparing for another significant political conflict by increasing police deployments, issuing detention orders, and preparing roadways for potential blockades.
The PTI's ability to rally supporters for Khan's release and the force with which Pakistani authorities react to the attempt to bring thousands of demonstrators into the country's capital will be put to the test on September 27.
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