Government Spends Over Rs. 2.7 Billion to Manage PTI Protests in Last 18 Months

Islamabad: The government of Pakistan has spent a staggering Rs. 2.7 billion over the past 18 months to manage protests and sit-ins organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). According to official figures, nearly Rs. 1.2 billion was spent in the last six months alone to deal with the ongoing demonstrations, while Rs. 1.5 billion worth of government and private property was damaged in the process.
During this period, PTI held over 120 protests across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad, resulting in the martyrdom of 4 security personnel and over 220 injuries among law enforcement officers. The government also spent Rs. 80 million on renting 3,000 containers, compensating their owners, and deploying 30,000 security personnel to ensure public safety.
Significant damage was recorded in the Safe City systems of Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, where 370 cameras were damaged, causing a loss of Rs. 28 million. Additionally, 220 police vehicles were also affected. Security forces’ mobility costs amounted to Rs. 90 million, while food and transportation expenses for police personnel totaled approximately Rs. 1.5 billion.
To maintain law and order, the government deployed over 12,000 police officers from Islamabad and 16,000 from Punjab. The Frontier Corps (FC), Rangers, and military units were also called in, with Rs. 30 million spent on their deployment.
Looking ahead to the anticipated nationwide protests on November 24, the government has already begun preparations. Over 2,000 containers have been stationed in Rawalpindi and Islamabad to block key routes, and an estimated Rs. 30 million in additional costs are expected. In the capital, metro bus services have been suspended indefinitely, and a ban on rallies and public gatherings has been imposed in the Rawalpindi division, which includes Rawalpindi, Attock, and Jhelum districts.
Moreover, all transport terminals in Islamabad have been ordered to close as a precautionary measure, while private hostels in the city are also shut, causing inconvenience to students residing there. Security personnel have been deployed in large numbers, with the deployment of additional Rangers requested in anticipation of potential unrest.
The government is determined to prevent any disruption to public order and ensure peace during the upcoming protests.