RAWALPINDI: A command and control centre has been set up in Rawalpindi for security of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) long march and to maintain communication with appropriate institutions. Over 100 snipers have been deployed on the rooftops of buildings.

Deputy superintendent of police (DSP) headquarters (HQ) will be present at the centre round-the-clock to monitor everything. As part of tightened security, more than 2,500 police personnel have been assigned duty in the inner circle around the container carrying the PTI chairman and other leaders.

A police spokesman said on Friday that an officer has been appointed to monitor video footage obtained from CCTV cameras and drone cameras in the control centre. And in-charge of the centre will be in touch with all law enforcement agencies and the bomb disposal squad’s focal persons.

All information from the centre will be conveyed to the regional police officer (RPO), city police officer (CPO) and senior superintendent of police (SSP). Police personnel deployed in government hospitals will remain on high alert and facility centres will remain functional in hospitals to deal with any emergency situation, said the spokesman, adding that it will be mandatory for all officials on duty to carry departmental cards and identity cards. Filming videos will be made mandatory at the police station and headquarters level and officials dressed in white clothes will also be required to carry out surveillance.

Rawalpindi police has also been instructed to remain on high alert in view of the threat of terrorism and sabotage in the context of the situation.

During the long march, elite commandos and snipers will be stationed on the container of Imran Khan and other leaders and three security fences will be maintained continuously. No person will be allowed to enter the main container without security clearance, said the spokesman.

On the other hand, City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Shahzad Nadeem Bukhari visited Gujar Khan accompanied by Deputy Commissioner retired Captain Shoaib Ali, SSP Operations Waseem Riaz Khan, SP (Saddar) Mohammad Nabil Khokhar and SP Security Faisal Saleem.

The CPO reviewed security arrangements and issued instructions to the officers concerned.

PTI completes arrangements

PTI’s Islamabad and Rawalpindi chapters completed all arrangements to welcome marchers of the party’s long march in Rawat on Saturday.

In a meeting held with PTI Islamabad Chapter President Ali Awan in the chair, it was decided that all union council party workers and supporters will welcome the marchers at Rawat.

A large number of workers, women and senior citizens will reach Rawat in the form of rallies from all the union councils of Islamabad region on Saturday and will give a warm welcome to both caravans of the march coming from Wazirabad.

The convoy, led by PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Secretary General Asad Umar from Faisalabad region will reach Rawat.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2022