Urdu Report Desk
The postponement of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) Islamabad protest for a week is expected to increase the cost of security arrangements in the capital, with total expenses potentially exceeding Rs1 billion.
According to police sources, Rs46.5 million will be paid each day for the rental of 1,550 containers arranged as part of the security measures.
PTI had initially announced a nationwide protest and long march toward Islamabad from September 27. The march has now been scheduled to begin from Peshawar on October 4.
Security Arrangements and Costs
Islamabad Police had initially requested more than Rs820 million for arrangements to deal with the protest. The amount included container rentals as well as accommodation and food expenses for police personnel arriving from Punjab and Sindh.
The requested amount was intended to cover one week of arrangements, as police expected the protest and long march starting on September 27 to disperse by October 4. The one-week postponement is now expected to increase the expenses.
Container Rental Costs
According to the All Pakistan Goods Alliance, it initially demanded a daily rental of Rs40,000 for 40-foot containers and Rs20,000 for 20-foot containers.
The demand was later revised to Rs30,000 per container per day for both sizes.
Police sources said the daily rental for 1,550 containers amounts to Rs46.5 million. The cost would reach Rs325.5 million for one week and Rs651 million for two weeks.
Decision on Containers Pending
According to a report, police have taken at least 2,700 vehicles and their three-member crews into custody in Islamabad and Punjab. Around 400 vehicles and their crews are reportedly still missing, while the crews of the remaining vehicles are being kept at police stations.
The police have not formally arrested the crew members, but they have reportedly been prevented from leaving the police stations except for meals. Their mobile phones, vehicle documents and keys have also been taken into custody.
No decision has yet been announced on the release of the containers.
Additional Police Personnel
Police sources said 16,000 personnel from the Punjab Police and 2,000 from the Sindh Police had been requested.
The Sindh Police contingent has reached Islamabad and is staying at temporary accommodation facilities at the Police Lines Headquarters, Faisal Mosque and the Community Centre in G-13.
The personnel are being provided three meals a day. The cost of three meals per person is Rs600, resulting in a daily food bill of Rs1.2 million for the 2,000 Sindh Police personnel.
The food cost for the Sindh Police contingent is estimated at Rs8.4 million for one week and Rs16.8 million for two weeks.
Punjab Police Contingent Yet to Arrive
According to police sources, the 16,000-member Punjab Police contingent was scheduled to reach Islamabad by the evening of September 25, as the deployment plan was due to take effect from the evening of September 26.
However, no Punjab Police personnel had arrived in Islamabad by Friday evening, according to the sources.
Around 70 coasters, 30 double-cabin vehicles and buses have also been arranged to transport police personnel between their accommodation and designated duty points.
The daily rental for a coaster is Rs15,000, bringing the cost of 70 coasters to Rs1.05 million per day. A double-cabin vehicle costs Rs10,000 per day, while the 30 vehicles cost Rs300,000 daily.
Hotel Accommodation for Officers
Police have booked 175 rooms in 13 hotels across different sectors for 246 officers. These include 58 deputy and assistant superintendents of police, superintendents of police, 10 senior superintendents of police and eight deputy inspectors general of police.
Of the 13 hotels, 157 rooms in 11 hotels have been booked for officers from the rank of inspector to superintendent of police. The daily rent for these rooms is Rs754,500, while the cost for one week is Rs5.2815 million.
The estimated cost of three daily meals for the Punjab Police contingent is Rs9.6 million, which could reach Rs67.2 million for one week.
The rental costs of buses arranged to transport the police force and 18 rooms booked at two hotels for DIGs and SSPs were not available.
Goods Vehicles Among Those Held
Police sources said around 450 of the 2,700 vehicles taken into custody were carrying goods, including medicines, food items and chemicals.
The crews of the container trucks are being kept at police stations because special skills are required to operate and move the large vehicles.
The containers and vehicles have been taken into custody in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Jhang, Hasanabdal, Attock, Kamoke, Taxila, Jhelum, Mianwali, Chakwal, Faisalabad and Gujrat.
