Capital police highlight 'risks' posed by PTI march.

ISLAMABAD -- In a report submitted to the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the capital police have highlighted the risk of an 'accidental confrontation' with the police personnel from Azad Jammu Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who have been providing security cover to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) long march on its way to Islamabad.

In light of the potential for a mishap, police have also sought the deployment of personnel from federal agencies at strategic locations in the city.

Akbar Nasir Khan, the Islamabad police chief, made these observations in response to a petition submitted by traders in the high court against the long march.

In the report, the police chief expressed concerns that 'armed uniformed personnel of Khyber PakhtAunkhwa Police and AJK Police also accompany the procession of the PTI and risk of any accidental confrontation with the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in such situation goes high'.

The report said that there have been no such examples of confrontation of this level in the country during any political movement where civilian armed units have faced such [an] untenable situation.'

Citing life threats to PTI Chairman Imran Khan, the report said, 'It becomes [an] even more risky scenario when we take into account [the] threats to life of the PTI chairman and threats of terrorism received through multiple sources.'

'Aggressive' statements

The report highlighted 'aggressive' statAemAents of PTI leaders and stated that Ali Amin Gandapur 'threatened that they will gather in Islamabad with arms' and persuaded the party workers to bring their weapons during the long march.

The report annexed footage of PTI's provincial minister Anwar Zaib and activist Fazal-i-Elahi, who had allegedly threatened to kill Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah. It also referred to the statement of former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and ex-senator Faisal Vadwa who predicted 'bloodshed' in the long march.

'The PTI chairman also admitted in his public statement that some of his supporters had been armed with pistols and he feared violence and bloodshed during his march on May 25, 2022,' the report added.

The report said that 'the protesters normally participate in the march on vehicles, motorcycles, and cranes and spread terror amongst the public. These vehicles and motorbikes are used to target and hit unarmed anti-riot...