LAHORE: Over 7,000 policemen will be deployed for the security of the Raiwind march of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

The city police authorities have devised a comprehensive security plan as the anti-riot police will lead a three-layer security of the PTI’s Raiwind march.

The PTI is holding the protest march against the government to pressurize Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to present himself for the accountability in the Panama Leaks scandal.

PTI workers from all over the province will gather for a public meeting at the Adda Plot which is around six kilometer away from the Sharif family residence.

SP (Security) Tahir Rehman said that more than 7,000 policemen, including 11 divisional SPs, 23 DSPs and 50 inspectors, were directed to provide security to the participants of the rally.

No cop allowed to carry firearms; three-layer security planned

He said the policemen would be equipped with anti-riot gears, including batons, helmets and teargas, to avert any untoward situation.

He said the three-layer security plan had been issued for all participants of the march and all would have to go through checking.

The SP said a place for parking all types of vehicles had been allotted and everyone had to reach the Adda Plot on foot.

He said the Raiwind Road would be closed for any type of vehicular traffic on Sept 30 and an alternate traffic plan would be issued for the convenience of residents.

He said walk-through gates were being installed at entry and exit points of the public meeting and participant would have to go through checking with metal detectors.

Steps were being taken to ensure foolproof security for participants of the PTI public meeting, he added.

The SP said security officials would be deployed on all high-rise buildings while pickets were being set up on all roads leading to the public meeting venue for security purposes.

Mr Rehman said that all intelligence agencies were carrying out search and sweep operation in and around the public meeting localities to avert any untoward incident.

Rescue vehicles were also directed to remain on high alert to cope with any situation, he added.

Earlier, PML-N workers armed with batons were shown on different news channels flexing their muscles and threatening PTI workers not to come close to the Sharif family residence.

The PTI had earlier announced the rally near the Sharif family residence but later the venue was shifted to Adda Plot.

Expressing their concern over the threatening tone of PML-N workers, the PTI leaders lodged complaints against PML-N leaders, including State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali, Punjab Home Minister Rana Sanaullah and Chief Minister’s Adviser Zaeem Qadri.

The Punjab government was criticised for mishandling the Model Town protest in which 14 workers of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek had been killed in firing by police on June 17, 2014.

Keeping in view the past experience and the increasing tension between the PTI and the PML-N, the police high-ups have decided that no policemen would carry firearms during the security duty of the Raiwind march.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2016