• IG wary of ‘accidental confrontation’ with KP, AJK police accompanying Imran’s march
• Seeks jurisdiction in Punjab to keep modes of communication open

ISLAMABAD: In a report submitted to the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the capital police have highlighted the risk of an “accidental confrontation” with the police personnel from Azad Jammu Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who have been providing security cover to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) long march on its way to Islamabad.

In light of the potential for a mishap, police have also sought the deployment of personnel from federal agencies at strategic locations in the city.

Akbar Nasir Khan, the Islamabad police chief, made these observations in response to a petition submitted by traders in the high court against the long march.

In the report, the police chief expressed concerns that “armed uniformed personnel of Khyber Pakht­unkhwa Police and AJK Police also accompany the procession of the PTI and risk of any accidental confrontation with the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in such situation goes high”.

The report said that there have been no such examples of confrontation of this level in the country during any political movement where civilian armed units have faced such [an] untenable situation.”

Citing life threats to PTI Chairman Imran Khan, the report said, “It becomes [an] even more risky scenario when we take into account [the] threats to life of the PTI chairman and threats of terrorism received through multiple sources.”

‘Aggressive’ statements

The report highlighted ‘aggressive’ stat­em­ents of PTI leaders and stated that Ali Amin Gandapur “threatened that they will gather in Islamabad with arms” and persuaded the party workers to bring their weapons during the long march.

The report annexed footage of PTI’s provincial minister Anwar Zaib and activist Fazal-i-Elahi, who had allegedly threatened to kill Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah. It also referred to the statement of former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and ex-senator Faisal Vadwa who predicted “bloodshed” in the long march.

“The PTI chairman also admitted in his public statement that some of his supporters had been armed with pistols and he feared violence and bloodshed during his march on May 25, 2022,” the report added.

The report said that “the protesters normally participate in the march on vehicles, motorcycles, and cranes and spread terror amongst the public. These vehicles and motorbikes are used to target and hit unarmed anti-riot police, Punjab Rangers, and Frontier Constabulary officers present on foot on the streets of Islamabad”.

Challenges to civil liberties

Islamabad Police underlined the possible threats to the fundamental rights of freedom of movement to the citizen of the federal capital. The report states, “Sit-in or long march protest may paralyse the capital city and its neighbouring cities… Ambulances, doctors, paramedic staff and other organisations providing emergency services…may be prevented from rendering emergency assistance.”

It added that protests could also block litigants’ access to courts and put people and businesses at risk.

The report suggested some ways forward to keep the fundamental rights of citizens intact during the PTI’s long march. It suggested that “for freedom of movement…maintenance of communication… [access] should be granted jurisdiction over roads leading to Islamabad International Airport…as well as three interchanges on M1 and M2” since the area falls under the jurisdiction of the Punjab government.

The report suggested raising an Anti-Riot Unit (ARU) of 1,949 personnel and a Special Protection Unit (SPU) of 1,000 personnel and said that the case to incr­ease the strength of the capital police is under process with the interior ministry.

Citing the recent decision of the Supreme Court on bringing out a public procession, the report stated that the apex court has held that the right of assembly cannot be used to overthrow a lawful government nor could the right of assembly be used to bring about revolution or insurrection.

“If all political parties abide by the direction of the august courts and give assurances to fully and actively cooperate with LEAs…then there may not be the need for extreme steps by the police…[for] peace and tranquillity of Islamabad and its residents,” the report concluded.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2022