ISLAMABAD: As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) gears up for a nationwide protest on November 24, 1,350 “trainee” officers from police academies were dispatched by Sindh government upon federal government’s request.
The group of “specially trained” police officers-to-be include 263 from the Shahid Hayat Training Centre, 228 from the Razzakabad, 315 from Hyderabad and 544 from Khairpur.
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The officers have been directed to carry anti-riot equipment, including 1,000 long and 1,000 short shells.
Similarly in Lahore, the Punjab Home Department officially sought the deployment of ranger in three districts – Rawalpindi, Attock and Jhelum.
The request was submitted to the Ministry of Interior and suggested sending two wings of rangers to Rawalpindi and Attock; one company was to be secured for Jhelum.
The rangers deployment is scheduled to begin from November 22, with rangers to remain in Jhelum specifically until November 27.
Meanwhile, administration in Islamabad imposed section 144 in the capital for a duration of two months. Authorities have banned public gatherings of five or more people.
Additional security forces have also been requested by both, Punjab and Islamabad Police, with over 10,700 officers on standby throughout Punjab.
The standby officers are equipped with tear gas, rubber bullets and anti-riot gear.
The Islamabad government has also sought 8,000 extra personnel from Punjab, Sindh and Kashmir.
Rangers and the Frontier Corps (FC) are currently stationed in Islamabad, with plans to cordon off the city using shipping containers by November 22.
The federal government is bracing for PTI’s “do or die” protest, with authorities intending to limit access to the capital.
Rawalpindi also imposed section 144, banning public gatherings and rallies of more than four people until November 26.
The decision followed after district intelligence committee evaluated the likelihood of disturbances from Adiala Jail and in other regions of Rawalpindi.
Law enforcement agencies plan to cordon off the historic city by sealing if off at 50 points.
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PTI founder Imran Khan, currently imprisoned in the notorious Adiala Jail, called for a nationwide protest against alleged electrical fraud, the detention of his party workers, and the passage of the 26th constitutional amendment.