Over 22,000 officers mobilized in Islamabad as opposition plans long marches

In preparation for possible mass protests, the government has ordered the deployment of more than 22,000 security personnel in Islamabad, overseen by eight DIGs, ten SSPs, 40 SPs and 58 DSPs. An extra 30,000 officers are being sent to Attock, a strategic district connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Punjab, with units drawn from Sheikhupura, DG Khan, Multan, Faisalabad and the Punjab Constabulary. Opposition groups—including Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Jamaat-i-Islami and Kissan Ittehad—have scheduled long-march rallies and sit-ins in the capital next week.

To impede movement, authorities have confiscated numerous containers and blocked 30 entry points, 11 of them in Rawalpindi. All police leave has been banned until October 1, and housing for the incoming staff has been arranged in hotels, guest houses and government facilities.