In anticipation of a scheduled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally on November 24, Islamabad police have asked the government to provide a large-scale deployment of anti-riot equipment, including as thousands of tear gas canisters and rubber bullets.
This proposal coincides with the capital administration’s two-month extension of Section 144, which prohibits political or religious gatherings for ten days.
The police are bracing for the worst, even if reports indicate that the government and the PTI are still having backchannel discussions to stop the demonstration. Police officials have reportedly asked for 1,200 containers and 22,000 security guards to quell the demonstration. Significant financial resources will be needed for the deployment in order to provide food and transportation for the incoming and local security forces.
