Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration is likely to close all entry and exits points of the city on Oct 29 to prevent entry of 'Azadi March' participants into city if the negotiations between the govt and opposition Rehbar committee bear no fruit.

The official sources said a meeting presided over by the secretary interior decided, in principle, if talks with the opposition fail then all the entry and exit points of the federal capital will be closed for traffic on Oct 29. The administration will also block main routes linking the capital city with Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, they added.

The sources said the meeting was attended by Islamabad IGP, chief commissioner, deputy commissioner, high-ups of Rangers and senior officials of the Ministry of Interior.

They said the administration has also got the government buildings vacated for accommodation of additional force of around 20,000 personnel, demanded from the governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The additional personnel of police will arrive in the city on Oct 26, they said, adding that senior officials of police and administration will brief the meeting about the strategy devised and preventive measures taken for blocking the entry of Azadi March's participants.

The sources said the meeting was informed that containers have been placed at all roads leading to Red Zone and at the entry and exits points of the federal capital. The meeting also approved Rs 150 million additional amount demanded by the district administration for security arrangements, they added.

The meeting also held consultation about holidays for the government and private educational institutions during 'Azadi March.' The administration will also declare emergency in all hospitals in the city, they added.

The JUI-F's anti-govt 'Azadi March' scheduled to start on Oct 27, will enter Islamabad on Oct 31. The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has placed a number of containers along roadsides at NADRA Chowk, Serena Chowk, D-Chowk and all other roads leading to Red Zone which houses Diplomatic Enclave, Prime Minister Secretariat, Parliament House, Supreme Court and other government offices.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Ijaz Ahmed Shah while addressing the passing-out parade of ASPs at National Police Academy, said the country is facing serious internal and external challenges.

He said police are the first line of defense to cope with internal challenges including criminals and terrorists. "It is only through dispensing justice to the people that law and order can be ensured in the country," he said.

The minister said police know well how to maintain peace and handle security related matters. He asked the ASPs to properly train their subordinates in a proper way.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019