Containers, prison vans and police contingents deployed on the main routes of the Pindi division
RAWALPINDI:
When the Rawalpindi division of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced a complete strike and protests would be held at night, the police took action to enforce section 144.
Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema acted immediately yesterday to ban demonstrations, slogans and aerial firing under Section 144, as the PTI announced rallies in all six districts of Rawalpindi, appealing to party workers to march to protect the Constitution of Pakistan.
In an attempt to thwart the call for strike and protests, police raided all the cities of the division including Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Tala Gang, Marri and Kotli Sattian and arrested 11 party workers. However, the police failed to arrest any of the central leaders as major raids were unsuccessful. In anticipation of the raids, party leaders had taken measures to avoid arrest.
The PTI is planning to hold protests at 9 pm at Murree Road, Rawal Road, Pirwadhai, Saddar and Chandni Chowk. Police from all police stations have been deployed at important intersections in all six districts of the division, including Rawalpindi. Police commandos have been stationed along with women police officers. The seven jail vehicles taking the accused to court from Adiala Jail and armored vehicles were also parked on Murree Road. Bins have been placed at busy intersections and drones will be used to monitor protesters.
Police licenses were canceled and a preventive emergency was imposed on hospitals across the city, where all doctors are expected to be present.
The police have been put on alert on all routes and intersections from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Riot forces have also been deployed.
However, PTI workers have remained absent throughout the day and are expected to turn up for the evening protests at their designated locations. PTI National Assembly candidate Shehryar Riaz and Provincial Assembly central leader candidate Ziad Khaliq Kayani have said that based on the call of the Movement for the Protection of the Constitution, they will go on a total strike in Rawalpindi. “February 8 is the day the election was stolen from us. That day we will stay home and vehicles will remain parked. The entire nation will protest vigorously,” they said.
Addressing the workers’ meeting separately, both leaders agreed that a full strike would represent the voice of the nation.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman backed the PTI’s call by canceling his own protest scheduled for February 8.
