ISLAMABAD: The owners and managements of guest houses, inns, motels and hotels in the capital city have been warned by police not to rent rooms to leaders, workers and supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek from Oct 26 until the conclusion of their protest, the police said.

The written warning was issued by station house officers of various police stations, where owners of various lodging establishments were warned of dire consequences if they didn’t t comply with the orders. Records of these establishments will be checked and searches will also be conducted, the police said. Police officials told Dawn that though the government has not given clear directions to the police regarding the PTI’s plans to lay siege to the city, the police has made a list of the party leaders, activists and supporters to arrest.

“The list includes the names of individuals to arrest if the government issues orders,” a police official said, adding that the list was drafted after extensive surveillance and also includes the location of individuals at particular times.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2016