ISLAMABAD, July 8: The federal government on Sunday decided to allow the activists and supporters of Difa-i-Pakistan Council (DPC), who have embarked on a motor rally from Lahore to Islamabad in protest against the reopening of Nato supply routes, to hold a peaceful demonstration near the Parliament House on Monday (today).

Under an agreement reached between the authorities and organisers of the DPC rally, the protesters would not carry weapons. Even sticks would not be allowed.

The members of the outlawed organisations would not be allowed to enter the capital.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik chaired a meeting held to review the security arrangements for the DPC rally, which is expected to reach the capital in the afternoon.

According to an official handout, the meeting was attended among others by the interior secretary, additional secretary, chief commissioner and the inspector-general of police.

The meeting decided that law-enforcement personnel, including those belonging to the Frontier Constabulary and Rangers, would be deployed along the route designated for the rally. All entry points would be sealed and entry into the capital territory would be subject to security clearance and production of the national identity card. Up to four helicopters would carry out surveillance of the area designated for a gathering.  All the participants of the rally would assemble in this area before entering the ‘red zone’ near the Parliament House.