Section 144 imposed in Rawalpindi ahead of Qadri's arrival
Public gatherings and rallies have been banned at the airport and its adjacent areas.
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) - Interior Ministry has imposed Section 144 at Benazir International Airport and its surrounding area ahead of the arrival of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, Dunya News reported.
According to police sources, entry into the airport premises carrying banners and placards would not be allowed while those coming towards airport would be arrested.
The sources added that more than 6000 policemen would be deployed to stop the Awami Tehreek workers from going to airport.
According to police, all these measures were adopted due to security threats.
Earlier on Saturday, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan imposed ban on holding any kind of rally or public gatherings in the federal capital, while ordering additional security on sensitive areas in the twin cities.
A high level meeting chaired by Nisar took place here in Islamabad where the security arrangements of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri’s arrival were reviewed.
Interior Minister directed Commissioner Islamabad to impose a ban on holding any kind of rally or public gathering in Islamabad. He also directed the law enforcement to carry an intensive search operation of the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad along with the adjacent areas and rid them of the militant elements on war-footing.
Qadri faces security threat:
Meanwhile, intelligence agencies on Saturday termed Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri’s schedule road travel from Islamabad to Lahore as unsafe. Intelligence report says that Qadri could face severe security dangers upon arrival in Pakistan.
According to sources, intelligence agencies alerted the police about the potential threat. The report says that Qadri’s road travel from Islamabad to Lahore is extremely dangerous.
Sources say that PAT workers will not be allowed to welcome Qadri at the airport. Police has also alerted Minhaj-ul-Quran’s local leadership about the security risk.
In an important meeting between police and local administration, it was decided that police will also perform the joint security duty alongside the rangers.
As many as ten thousand police personnel from the twin cities will be deployed on the express way whereas the recommendation to seal the roads leading to the airport is also under consideration.
