Battle of nerves looms over PDM power show.

ISLAMABAD -- With the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) all geared up to stage a power show outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) building on Tuesday (today), a slight mishandling on the part of the opposition or government might lead to political chaos.

The Red Zone, which houses important buildings like the Parliament House, Presidency, PM House and Supreme Court, has already been secured before workers of the 10-party opposition alliance arrive.

According to the PDM leadership, the opposition parties will stage a rally outside the ECP building to press the commission to resume and decide the foreign funding case against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). They have no plans to stage a sit-in outside the commission's headquarters and the rally will disperse after two to three hours.

The ECP is expected to hear the funding case against the ruling party on Wednesday.

Some small rallies from Rawalpindi and Islamabad will reach Serena Hotel Chowk from where PDM leaders, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, will lead the main rally to the ECP headquarters.

After staging a demonstration, the PDM leaders will address a joint press conference.

Inside sources told Dawn that Prime Minister Imran Khan had informed his spokespersons on Monday that 'stern action' would be taken against protesters found violating the law.

The sources quoted the prime minister as saying: 'The government will not block PDM's rally, but will take action if the opposition disturbs peace of the federal capital.'

All main opposition parties are taking part in the rally with the PML-N expected to play a leading role. JUI-F's Maulana Fazl will also lead from the front with his party taking out two separate rallies.

PPP is joining the PDM power show, but its chairman, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, will not be part of it. Instead, other party senior leaders will be seen in the rally.

On the other hand, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has finalised a security plan to maintain law and order during the opposition's protest. Over 7,000 security personnel, including Rangers and police, would be deployed on the occasion.

'On government's directives, the administration will not block the rallies but will take strict action in case the protesters created any disturbance,' a...