ISLAMABAD: The full force of the government seemed to be at work on Sunday as law-enforcement agencies and the district administration put the twin cities into lockdown ahead of Dr Tahirul Qadri’s expected arrival at Benazir Bhutto International Airport on Monday morning.
All roads leading to the airport were sealed with containers and road blocks and access to the capital city was severed as police took up positions to stop workers of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and its allies from marching on Islamabad.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said in a statement that no-one would be allowed to march on the federal capital.
Large-scale police deployment ahead of Dr Tahirul Qadri’s arrival
Nearly 3,000 police personnel have been deployed at the entry and exit points of Islamabad and section 144 has been imposed in Rawalpindi. In addition, sensitive government installations in the capital and Constitution Avenue were also blockaded on Sunday night.
Scattered clashes between PAT workers and security personnel were reported on Sunday night as charged activists tried to force their way past the security cordon towards the airport. PAT workers scuffled with police at Koral Chowk and Tench Bhatta, but scattered when security personnel responded and attempted to disperse the demonstrators. A perpetual game of hide-and-seek continued on the streets of Rawalpindi until late night.
The Rawalpindi district administration has not permitted Dr Qadri to hold a rally at the airport, but he will be allowed to proceed to Lahore via GT Road. The nearest points where PAT has permission to congregate for a rally are Rawat and Gujjar Khan, on the outskirts of the twin cities.
A Pakistan Telecommunication Authority spokesperson told Dawn that mobile services around the airport area will remain suspended from 3am to 12noon on Monday.
Security officials are on their toes and say that such a large public gathering is a possible target for terrorists, who have promised reprisal attacks to avenge losses incurred in the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan.
Dr Qadri is expected to arrive at Islamabad airport on an Emirates Airline flight at 7.30am on Monday. Officials from the Met Office say that following thundershowers on Sunday night, the weather forecast for Monday morning is clear and the flight is expected to land on time.
At least 10 members of the PAT were taken into ‘protective custody’ as they arrived for a meeting with district authorities to finalise arrangements to welcome their leader at the airport.
Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2014