PTI yet to finalise strategy for Sept 27 Islamabad march

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership has yet to finalise a detailed strategy for its September 27 march on Islamabad, with party sources saying uncertainty remains over the route, convoy movement and arrangements for participants.

According to party sources, no formal plan for the march could be finalised during a recent parliamentary party meeting.

The central leadership has tasked parliamentarians with bringing at least 1,000 workers each from their respective constituencies. Members of the National Assembly, Senate and provincial assemblies have also been instructed to remain with the workers and stay at the front of the march.

Party sources said district office-bearers and workers had not yet been provided with a clear schedule for the march.

The party is also considering whether convoys should move towards Islamabad in phases rather than reaching the capital on the same day, according to the sources.

Swabi stay plan under consideration

A plan to set up camp in Swabi in case of roadblocks along the route is also under consideration, with preparations under way, party sources said.

A formal plan covering the march route, departure of convoys, places of stay and other arrangements is expected to be finalised by September 25.

PTI has announced its Islamabad march for September 27. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Kissan Ittehad have also announced protests in Islamabad on different dates.

Thousands of security personnel mobilised

Meanwhile, authorities have stepped up security preparations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi ahead of the planned protests.

Islamabad police said on Monday that all entry and exit routes to the capital were open and traffic was flowing normally. SP Industrial Area Dr Ayaz said any decision to close roads would depend on the situation and public safety considerations.

He urged citizens to ignore rumours and rely on updates issued through Islamabad Police’s official social media accounts and FM radio.

More than 22,000 security personnel are expected to be deployed in Islamabad, while around 30,000 additional personnel have been summoned to Attock, a key route between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

Rawalpindi police have separately sought another 9,000 personnel for security arrangements. Police units from several Punjab districts, along with Punjab Constabulary and Riot Management Police personnel, have also been summoned.

Rawalpindi police have suspended leave until October 1, except in cases of extreme emergency.

Schools closed, containers placed

Authorities have decided to close 24 public educational institutions in Islamabad from Tuesday to accommodate police personnel arriving from different provinces.

The institutions are located in sectors including G-6, F-6, F-7, G-7, G-8, G-9, G-10, G-13, I-9 and I-10, as well as Bari Imam, Malpur, Tarnol, Sihala and Rawal Dam.

Principals and non-teaching staff will continue reporting for duty, while teachers and students will remain away from the affected campuses.

Authorities have also arranged accommodation for hundreds of officers arriving from outside Islamabad. Under the plan, 362 police officers and officials will be accommodated in 132 rooms across 13 hotels and guest houses.

Additional police and Frontier Constabulary personnel are being housed in government buildings, educational institutions, sports complexes, marriage halls and police stations.

Containers placed at key points

Authorities have begun positioning containers along major roads and entry routes around Islamabad and Rawalpindi as part of security preparations.

The locations include Faizabad, Chungi No 26, Rawat, Chakri, Adiala Road, Pirwadhai, Bharakahu and 17 Meel.

Government warns against violent protests

The PTI has said its September 27 march is aimed at demanding the release of party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. JI has separately announced a march over the petroleum levy, while Kissan Ittehad is seeking relief for farmers.

The government has warned that it will not allow protests involving violence or disruption of public movement.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Monday that the government would not allow what he described as a “violent protest” to reach Islamabad. He said people arriving with weapons, sticks, slingshots or other objects would be stopped.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has also urged the PTI to reconsider its September 27 protest, saying the government would enforce Islamabad High Court directives concerning public roads and movement.

Naqvi said the PTI would not be allowed to enter Islamabad and shut down the capital for an extended period, while stressing that the government would use available legal measures after consultations with the prime minister and law ministry.

Despite the heightened security preparations, police said Islamabad’s entry and exit routes remained open and traffic inside the capital was moving normally.