PDM to stage protest against PTI in Islamabad

The Opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) will be staging a protest in front of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office in Islamabad today.

According to the details, strict security arrangements have been put in place ahead of the protest.

The ECP members and staff have been directed to use alternatives routes to reach the office safely. Furthermore, the staff has been advised not to bring their vehicles and motorcycles today, said sources.

The Rawalpindi administration has finalized the traffic and security plans for the movement of convoys of the anti-government alliance, heading towards the ECP.

The convoys would be directed towards Islamabad from Murree Road. The caravan of Jamiat e Ulema Fazl (JUI-F) would march towards Islamabad using Murree Road.

Whereas the convoy of Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) would enter Islamabad from Faizabad after passing through Murree Road.

Under the security plan devised for maintaining law and order until the protesters leave Rawalpindi and enter Islamabad, additional police force would be deployed on Murree Road while the patrolling vans would be stationed sporadically as well. Moreover the security officials would be deployed atop buildings in Liaqauat Bagh, Rehmanabad, and Shamsabad.

According to the reports, the PTI-led government decided to deploy 1,000 security personnel for the protest.

The red zone would reportedly remain a container-free zone and the PDM would not be allowed to setup a stage for their protest. The opposition is advised not to bring tents and loudspeakers with them.

Addressing the media after a meeting in the federal capital alongside PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz, on Monday the JUI-F chief said the case cannot be delayed any further and urged the Commission to announce a verdict soon.

“Decisions against elected prime ministers are given in a few months’ time but verdict against a selected premier has been pending for over six years,” he said.

He said that “Foreign funding case is the biggest scandal in Pakistan. Imran Khan has amassed millions in the name of party funds. He took the mother of all NROs to create political instability in the country.”