Monday, July 09, 2012

Elaborate security measures for DPC protesters: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Expecting that the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) long march will culminate peacefully, the federal government has put in place elaborate arrangements for the protesters’ security in the twin cities with banning entry into Islamabad of the members of the banned organisations and others who are placed on Schedule-IV of the ATA. As the long march participants are expected to reach Islamabad today (Monday), the federal government on Sunday decided to seal all the entry points of Islamabad after 6pm and all entrants were subjected to security scrutiny and asked to present ID card. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik chaired a meeting to review the security arrangements for the long march by DPC in which interior secretary, additional secretary, chief commissioner, IG police and representatives of others law enforcement agencies participated. The meeting decided that law enforcement agencies, including Frontier Constabulary and Rangers, would be deployed on the route of the long march to protect the participants and public and private property. Helicopters will conduct aerial monitoring from both sides of the Jinnah Avenue. The meeting also requested the DPC to ensure that participants of the procession carry no weapons. According to the decision, the main procession would enter Islamabad from Faizabad to Khayaban Chowk, Jinnah Avenue and Express Chowk near Parade Avenue. The interior secretary will monitor the proceedings of the DPC leaders through CCTV long-range cameras installed in Blue Area. All shops in Blue Area will close at 4pm today. Talking to reporters, Rehman Malik said an elaborate security plan had been put in place for the security of the protesters. “They are patriotic Pakistanis and they want to register their protest and we have given permission to them to do it peacefully,” Malik said. He said members of banned organisations would be arrested if they tried to enter Islamabad. Malik also directed the interior secretary to issue red warrant to bring back former Ehtesab Bureau chairman Saifur Rehman from Qatar. staff report

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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