LAHORE, Sept 9: Heavy police contingents have been deployed at important places, buildings, government installations, Allama Iqbal International Airport and all entry and exit points of the city to maintain law and order on the eve of expected arrival of exiled PML-N leaders in Islamabad and their scheduled visit to Lahore.
Similar security arrangements were made in other districts of central Punjab to stop PML-N workers from proceeding to Islamabad. Police also detained a large number of PML-N activists on Sunday.
A senior police officer told Dawn that personnel of the operations and investigation wing, police reserves from district police lines, plainclothesmen of intelligence agencies and the Punjab Constabulary had been deployed to handle possible gatherings and processions of PML-N workers.
“We have been directed to take stern action against people violating the Section 144,” he said.
In case of arrival of the Sharif brothers at the Allama Iqbal International Airport on Monday, police would block all entry and exit routes in and around the airport, he said. “In case they try to reach Lahore either via GT Road or Motorway, police will also block both the routes.”The officer said police pickets had already been set up at two entry points on Motorway II, Sherakot interchange, Saggian Bridge, New Ravi Bridge and Old Ravi Bridge.
“Police and security personnel are continuously monitoring the movement of party workers and are taking every possible action against them,” he said.
Another senior police officer said police had started impounding vehicles of PML-N activists and transporters were being asked to avoid renting their buses to party workers.
PML-N city secretary information Khawaja Imran Nazir told Dawn that the city division police had impounded eight vehicles of the party. He said that a large number of police force had been deployed at the party’s Lahore office on Nisbat Road.
