Security, administrative measures intensified in Islamabad

Security, administrative measures intensified in Islamabad ahead of PTI's September 27 protest ISLAMABAD: Amid the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) possible protest and long march scheduled for September 27, significant developments have taken place at the administrative and security levels in Islamabad. Senior officers have been transferred and posted in the federal police, while key changes have also been made in the federal district administration. Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has constituted a larger bench to hear a petition seeking to stop the proposed protest and long march. Sources said Islamabad and Rawalpindi police had begun preparations in anticipation of the September 27 protest, while a crackdown against PTI workers was also underway. Lists of party workers are reportedly being provided to the relevant police stations, while efforts have also begun to secure containers that could potentially be used to block roads. In the same context, several senior officers in the federal police have also been transferred and posted. According to sources, former SP Ayaz Hussain has been replaced in the City Zone, which includes the Red Zone, by SP Swan Flight Lieutenant (retd) Muhammad Khurram Ashraf. SP Hasnain Waris has been posted to the Swan Zone. He was previously serving as SP Industrial Area. In view of the anticipated traffic pressure and related arrangements, SDPO Golra Khan Muhammad has been appointed to the vacant post of SP Traffic. Two days earlier, Ali Wasim was appointed to the vacant post of DIG Operations. He had previously served in Punjab. Changes have also been made in the federal district administration. Grade-18 officer Dr Anam Fatima has been transferred. She was previously serving as Director DMA and Director Enforcement, but her services have now been placed at the disposal of the federal district administration. Sources said she is likely to be appointed Additional Deputy Commissioner General. Sources further said that the incumbent Additional Deputy Commissioner General, Sahibzada Yousaf, may also be appointed as Director to the Interior Minister at the Ministry of Interior. It may be recalled that Dr Anam Fatima and Sahibzada Yousaf were also awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz for their role in retrieving billions of rupees worth of government land in the Bari Imam area of Islamabad and effectively handling the protests that followed. According to sources, additional police personnel may also be requisitioned from other provinces to deal with the possible protest. Various measures are under consideration to prevent protesters from entering Islamabad, including the deployment of water cannons and other riot-control equipment. Under the proposed security plan, the Red Zone is likely to be secured through a three-tier security cordon. The Islamabad Inspector General of Police had also issued necessary directions to relevant officers during a security meeting held a few days ago regarding the possible protest. Sources said the Islamabad IG would monitor the security situation from the newly established Command and Control, Communication and Coordination Centre. The command centre has been equipped with modern facilities and linked with the Safe City system to enable real-time monitoring of the situation in the capital and ensure effective coordination among security agencies. Meanwhile, significant progress has also been made at the Islamabad High Court regarding the possible September 27 protest. Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court Justice Sarfraz Dogar has constituted a larger bench to hear a petition filed by a citizen seeking to restrain the PTI from holding the protest and long march. The bench will be headed by the Chief Justice himself. The larger bench comprises Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, Justice Azam Khan and Justice Muhammad Asif. The petition has been fixed for hearing on September 10, for which the chief secretaries, inspectors general of police and advocate generals of all four provinces, as well as the attorney general, have been summoned in person. Thus, ahead of the possible September 27 protest, activity at the police, district administration and judicial levels has intensified in Islamabad, while security agencies are continuing work on a comprehensive strategy to deal with the anticipated protest.