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In the past 18 months, the government has spent a total of 2.7 billion rupees to manage protests and sit-ins organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
According to official statistics, the cost of handling protests over the last 6 months alone amounted to approximately 1.2 billion rupees, while government and private properties worth 1.5 billion rupees were damaged.
The statistics reveal that PTI held 120 protests of various sizes across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad, which resulted in the martyrdom of 4 security personnel and the injury of over 220 officers.
The data further indicates that the government spent 80 million rupees to rent 3,000 containers, and compensation was paid to the owners of these containers. Major protest centers included Rawalpindi, Attock, Lahore, and Islamabad, where over 30,000 security personnel were deployed.
It was also reported that the Safe City system in Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, with 370 cameras, suffered damages worth 28 million rupees, and 220 police vehicles were also damaged. Additionally, over 90 million rupees were spent on the transportation of security forces, and nearly 1.5 billion rupees went towards food and transport expenses for the police.
Further statistics showed that 12,000 police officers from Islamabad and 16,000 from Punjab were assigned to duty, with 30 million rupees spent on deploying FC, Rangers, and the Army.
According to official sources, the upcoming November 24 protest could cost over 30 million rupees, with a request made for the deployment of 34,000 security personnel. Over 2,000 containers have been brought into Rawalpindi and Islamabad to prevent the protest on Sunday.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has devised a strategy to ensure law and order during its nationwide protests on November 24.
Starting from Saturday night, the Metro Bus service in Rawalpindi and Islamabad will remain suspended indefinitely. Section 144 has been imposed in Rawalpindi Division, including Rawalpindi, Attock, and Jhelum districts, to prohibit rallies, processions, and gatherings. Rangers have also been called in to assist the police in these areas.
In preparation for the protests, the Islamabad Transport Authority has ordered the closure of all city transport terminals. Due to the potential for unrest, these terminals will be closed from this evening, while private hostels in Islamabad have also been shut, causing inconvenience to students residing there.
