Govt Prepares for PTI’s November 24 Protest in Islamabad Amid Rising Tensions

Islamabad:In the wake of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s call for a nationwide protest and sit-in in Islamabad on November 24, the federal government has started preparing to manage the potential unrest. Imran Khan’s protest, which he has dubbed a global campaign, will primarily focus on Islamabad and is centered around three main demands: the return of what he calls a “stolen mandate,” the annulment of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, and the release of PTI leaders and workers who have been imprisoned for over a year.

In response to the call for a mass demonstration, the government has put together a strategy to ensure public order and security. This includes deploying Rangers and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel in the capital. Additionally, Islamabad Police has ramped up preparations to handle the protest, with plans to purchase substantial riot control equipment, including 40,000 tear gas shells, 50,000 rubber bullets, and 2,000 pellet guns. These supplies are expected to arrive by tomorrow.

However, sources within the Islamabad police have noted that it is still too early to predict the course of events. There is uncertainty about whether the protest will go ahead, as PTI may yet decide to retract its call for the demonstration. Talks are ongoing between the government and PTI leadership in an effort to persuade the party to cancel or delay the protest.

Sources also indicated that Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, has been in discussions regarding the protest, and there is growing speculation that the demonstration may be postponed.

The timing of the protest is also particularly sensitive, as Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is scheduled to visit Pakistan on November 25, which has added pressure on the government to avoid any disruptions. The authorities are keen to resolve the situation before the high-profile visit.

Regarding security arrangements, the Ministry of Interior has decided to deploy 9,000 personnel from Rangers and Constabulary starting from November 22 to safeguard the capital. Islamabad Police has requested an additional 5,000 Rangers and 4,000 FC personnel to assist in maintaining order during the anticipated protest.

At this stage, the specifics of the protest route and the impact on Islamabad’s internal and external access points are still being planned, with authorities awaiting further clarification on whether the protest will indeed take place.

As the situation remains fluid, government agencies are on high alert, ready to act depending on how events unfold in the coming days.