Containers, prison vans and police contingents deployed on main roads in Pindi Division
RAWALPINDI:
As the Rawalpindi division of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced a complete strike and rallies to take place in the evening, the police took steps to enforce Section 144.
Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema immediately decided to ban rallies, slogans and aerial firing under Section 144 yesterday when the PTI announced rallies in all six districts of Rawalpindi, calling on party activists to march to protect the Constitution of Pakistan.
In a bid to thwart the call for strike and rallies, police raided all cities of the division including Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Tala Gang, Marri, Kotli Sattian, arresting 11 party members. However, police failed to arrest any of the central leaders as major raids proved unsuccessful. In anticipation of these searches, party leaders had taken measures to avoid arrest.
The PTI has planned to hold rallies at 9 pm from Murree Road, Rawal Road, Pirwadhai, Saddar and Chandni Chowk. Police from all stations have been deployed at important junctions in the six districts of the division, including Rawalpindi. Police commandos as well as policewomen were stationed. The seven jail vehicles bringing the accused to the court from Adiala jail and armored vehicles were also parked on Murree Road. Containers have been placed at busy intersections and drones will be used to monitor protesters.
Police leave was canceled and a preventive emergency was imposed in the city’s hospitals, where all doctors should be present.
Police were placed on alert on all routes and intersections from 7 a.m. to midnight. Anti-riot forces were also deployed.
However, PTI workers remained absent throughout the day and are expected to report for rallies in the evening at designated locations. PTI National Assembly candidate Shehryar Riaz and Central Leader Provincial Assembly candidate Ziad Khaliq Kayani said that in line with the call of the Movement to Protect the Constitution, they would go on a complete strike in Rawalpindi. “February 8 is the day the elections were stolen. On that day, we will stay at home and vehicles will remain parked. The entire nation will protest vigorously,” they said.
Addressing the workers’ meeting separately, both leaders reiterated that a full strike would represent the voice of the nation.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman endorsed the PTI’s call by canceling his own protest scheduled for February 8.
