RAWALPINDI: The local administration and law enforcement agencies have started monitoring the local leaders of the Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) in case the Punjab government disallows its marchers to pass through the city on their way to Islamabad on January 14.

Official circles suspect that TMQ chief Dr Tahirul Qadri will join the marchers at Chandni Chowk in Rawalpindi.

Dawn has learnt that top officials of the administration, police and intelligence agencies on Tuesday discussed the strategy to be adopted if the government decides to block G.T. Road – unless Dr Qadri calls off his threatened march of the millions against the prevalent “system”.

Sources said intelligence was being gathered on the supporters of the march and the secret police have been tasked to watch the activities of the leading figures of the TMQ in the district on daily basis.

The Karachi-based Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which is openly supporting the march, set up a fund raising camp at Shamasabad on Tuesday.

Ameer of the district TMQ, Khalid Mehmood Awan, told Dawn that preparations for the march were in full swing and transport was being arranged for the marchers.

“Sufficient funds” were collected for the purpose at a function held at the central office of the religious movement recently, he said.

According to the media secretary of TMQ Sohail Abbasi, four camps have been set up for the arriving marchers in different parts of Rawalpindi, while two more camps will be set up on Wednesday. —Mohammad Asghar