ISLAMABAD: The capital police spent more than Rs80 million on logistics and meals in its effort to contain the PTI public gathering in Sangjani, placing over 470 containers across the city apparently to create hurdles for the party supporters who thronged the venue on the outskirts of the capital on Sunday.

Police officials claimed that more than 470 containers were placed on almost all the entry points of the city as well as highways to discourage the supporters and workers of the PTI from reaching the venue near Sangjani.

The vendors were hired to arrange containers, while some containers were taken by force, the officers said, adding that per day rent of a 40-foot container is over Rs40,000 whereas the 20-foot container had cost Rs30,000.

They said about 200 containers were arranged on Sept 6, while 150 were arranged a few days before. The remaining containers were arranged in August, they claimed.

More than 470 containers placed on highways, key points

Approximately, the per day rent of the 470 containers is Rs16.45 million, as per the officials. The rent of 470 containers from Sept 6 to 9 is Rs65.8 million, while the rent of 150 containers from Sept 1 to Sept 5 is Rs26.25m. The remaining 120 containers were arranged in August due to multiple protests in the capital.

These 470 containers – 40 feet and 20 feet – were used to seal almost all the entry points of the capital. These are placed on Zero Point, Faisal Chowk, Khayaban Chowk, Express Chowk, Aga Khan Road Marriott Hotel, ISI picket on Margalla Road, Suharwardi Road, Serena Hotel, Fata House Nadra Headquarters, Bari Imam T-Cross, Nicholson’s Monument, New Margalla Turn on G.T. Road, Sangjani Toll Plaza, Water Tanki on Margalla Road, New Margalla Road loop opposite F-10/2, Chungi No. 26, Secretariat Metro Station, Margalla Road, Kohsar Turn on Margalla Road, Rawat T-Cross, Khanna Bridge, Tramri Chowk, Shahpur Road, U-Turn on Murree Road near Banigala, Bridge on Murree Road near Traffic Office, Faizabad, 9th Avenue, Gandum Godam, Golra Mor, Motorway old Toll Plaza, and Tarnol Phattak.

The arrangements cost more than Rs80 million but despite spending a large amount, the capital police and the administration failed to stop people from reaching the venue, they added. There was a gathering of 8,000 to 10,000 participants, the officers said.

About more than 5,000 officials of the police and Punjab Constabulary along with 1,000 FC personnel were deployed across the capital on Sunday. They were fed twice, with Chicken Pulao for lunch and Channa Pulao for dinner which had cost the administration Rs1 million. Similarly, a handsome amount was spent on fuel and transport.

A senior police officer on the condition of anonymity justified the police action of sealing the capital, citing a rally by religious outfits in August which managed to enter the ‘red zone’. The official said the police had given them access till Express Chowk, but they forcefully entered the ‘red zone’ and reached Parliament House and the Supreme Court building on Constitution Avenue. It created a serious security issue for the police, he added.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2024