Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The government has finally decided to crush the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest march in the federal capital with its full force.

Special training is being imparted to the federal police at the police lines, in baton charging, shelling, rubber bullets firing and massive arrests. Platoons upon platoons of police are being provided training.

On the other hand the lawyers’ and the journalists’ organisations have termed the government’s decision of using force against the demonstrators an unwise decision saying that the government should demonstrate prudence and not resort to such steps which could put democracy in jeopardy.

Police sources told Daily Times that special training was being provided to all the staff at all the police stations including the DPD, the reserved police and even civilian police employees at the Civil Lines. The training encompasses one week which has been named by the police as an “Anti Riots Drill Course” (ARDC).

Sources said that the police at all the police stations including the DPD was being prepared on launching surprise attacks and disperse the mobs.

According to information collected by Daily Times, directives have been issued directly from the Prime Minister’s (PM’s) House to quell the PTI protest demonstration.

Certain PML-N elements, possessing democratic thinking have advised the government to resume the dialogue process with the PTI and such ToRS be framed which would be acceptable to both the sides. They told the government if any effort was made to crush the PTI movement through the use of force then it may lead to blow the country like a volcano with wide anti-government movements. The PTI also wants the government to use force against its dharnas (sit-ins) so that they might win the sympathies of the masses.

The PTI sources said that it will cost the government dearly if any attempt is made by it to stop the protest forcibly. Such a force was being organised which would serve as a shelter group and would withstand the state violence.

Senior advocate Ashraf Gujjar told daily Times that staging protest is constitutional right of every democratic party. He belongs to PML-N and he can only advise that no such step is taken which leads to undermine democracy and causes harm to the country. Government should take such step which is appreciated by the people, he added.

He cautioned that he does not understand that government will succeed in crushing the PTI movement and on the other hand use of force on the part of government will earn sympathies of people for PTI.

Former senator and advocate Supreme Court Syed Zafar Ali Shah said peaceful protest is right of every democratic party and no state machinery can be used against it. In case general public is affected by the protest then government
can pursue policy of dispersing it.

President Rawalpindi-islamabad Union of Journalists Ali Raza Alvi said that it is beauty of democracy that protest takes place in democratic manner. If government uses its state organs then it is feared that democracy may be put at stake. Wherever journalists rights are usurped there we will voice protest.

When contacted to ascertain his stance about police rehearsal, IG Islamabad Tariq Masood Yasin said he is busy in a meeting at ministry of interior therefore, he cannot talk about it.