LAHORE, March 11: Determined to thwart the lawyers’ long march set to begin on Thursday, the Punjab government has requisitioned seven battalions of Rangers and requested the army to be ready to provide help, if required.

Section 144 of the Cr.PC has been imposed in all districts of the province prohibiting public gatherings.

According to sources, the provincial government has also decided to detain main opposition politicians and lawyers’ leaders if it fails to stop them from leading the long march.

Home Secretary Rao Iftikhar announced at a news conference on Wednesday that the government would not allow the long march and sit-in because of the poor law and order situation and chances of terrorist acts that could destabilise the country.

Citing incidents of terrorism which claimed the lives of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and other people and the recent attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, he said conditions were not suitable for large gatherings. He advised people to be careful and avoid attending large gatherings for their own safety.
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