Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: In the wake of PTI chief, Imran Khan’s announcement of locking down Islamabad and staging a “dharna” (sit-in) there on November 2, the Rawalpindi district management and police have placed over 250 containers in Rawalpindi and its suburbs.

A heavy contingent of police and FC has been deployed at the entry points of district Rawalpindi. Crackdowns and raids have been started to nab 94 top leaders including Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, chief of Pakistan Awami League and his nephew and former Nazim Rawal town, Sheikh Rashid Rafiq. The process for setting up security trenches has entered into its final phase to counter resistance at entry points and pickets. The contract for preparing 4000 bags packed with sand and clay has been awarded by TMA Rawal town to contractors. These bags will be used in security bunkers in different areas. PTI activists reached Rawalpindi and Islamabad from Punjab and different districts from other provinces two days ago. These workers have piled stocks of stones, water, salt and dry ration.

The PTI local leadership of Rawalpindi has directed the PTI workers to reach Islamabad at every cost. Club-wielding special groups have been set up who will help the workers to cross into Islamabad by putting up resistance against the police. Sources told Daily Times that the services of a large number of people had been hired for stone pelting, on cash payment by the PTI. The media reports of alleged prospective bloody encounters between the PTI and the government have plunged millions of citizens of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad into grave concern.

The citizens have decided not to send their children to schools. The general public, while describing the false ego and stubbornness of Imran Khan against national interest and national integrity, have billed them as a conspiracy for creating anarchy and lawlessness in the country.