Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The government has started consultations after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan announced to lockdown the federal capital on 30 October.

Sources told Daily Times that the government is considering the deployment of the Pakistan Army troops outside the Red Zone to maintain law and order during the protest. They added that troops are already deployed in the sensitive buildings of the capital.

Sources also said that foreign diplomats have urged the government to heighten their security during the PTI protest.

Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has advised Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to devise a “foolproof” security plan. The plan would be presented to the PM for final approval, sources said.

Nawaz would chair an important meeting of PML-N Central Executive Committee on Monday (today) in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Senior party leaders and members of the committee would be tasked against Kaptaan, sources said, adding that the PML-N leaders would contact the People’s Party and other opposition parties to request them not to be a part of the PTI protest. They added that the government would offer an alternate plan to the PTI, adding that the government would ensure the security of the Red Zone at any cost.

If the PTI would not agree with the government’s alternate plan then the Interior Ministry would go for more options.

Source also said during a meeting in Raiwind the PM has ordered all the officials concerned to secure property and life of the people. Separately, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said some people want to spread chaos on October 30 in Islamabad, but they would not succeed in their nefarious design.