ISLAMABAD: An amount of around Rs27 million was spent and a force of 6,000 personnel used to counter PTI’s Friday protest.

Police officers told Dawn on condition of anonymity that 600 containers were used to block 27 points in the capital. The average rent of a container is Rs40,000 per day, and the total amount for 600 containers came to Rs24million.

The containers were placed at Faizabad, Peshawar Mor, 26 No Chongi, Old Toll Plaza, Dhungi Kassi, Murree Road, Katti Pahari, Khanna Bridge, Rawat T-Cross, Nogazi, Paswal Road, Pir Sohawa, Zero Point, Khayaban-i-Iqbal, Faisal Chowk, China Chowk, Serena Chowk, Khayaban-i-Suharwardi, Fata House, Attaturk Avenue, Nadra Chowk, near Election Commission of Pakistan building, Express Chowk, Aga Khan Road, Marriott Chowk, Margalla Road, Naka ISI, T-Cross Bari Imam, Norala Picket, Faqir Aipee Road near Police Lines Headquarters, Shah Allah Ditta near Imambargah and Margalla Avenue.

Besides, police contingent along with Frontier Constabulary and Rangers, equipped with a fair quantity of anti-riot gear, including teargas shells, handcuffs and prison vehicles, were also deployed at these points.

Likewise, 60 vehicles — wagons and coasters — were also arranged to transport police pesonnel to 48 different spots, including Faizabad, I-8 Doube Road, Ninth Avenue, Peshawar Mor, Naka Wheat Godown, Chongi No 26, Old Toll Plaza, Dugni Kassi, Malpur, Park Road, Tramri Chowk, Rawal Dam Chowk, Traffic Office Murree Road, Kashmir Chowk, Katti Pahari, Sangjani Bridge, G-14, Golra Mor, Khanna Bridge, Dhoke Kala Khan, Koral Chowk, Rawat T-Cross, Nogazi, Paswal Road, Pir Sohawa, Zero Point, Garden Bridge, Khayaban-i-Iqbal, Faisal Chowk, China Chowk, Serena Chowk, Fata House, Nadra Chowk, Attatruk Avenue, Express Chowk, Marriott Chowk, Margalla Road, ISI checkpoint, T Cross Bari Imam, Narola Picket, Shah Allah Ditta and Margalla Avenue.

The officers said the average per day rent of a vehicle was Rs20,000 and the total rent for 60 vehicles came to Rs1.2 million.

Similarly, lunch and dinner were also arranged for the force of 6,000 personnel, adding that the total cost for two-time meals for the force was calculated at Rs2.4 million. According to officers, police personnel were transported to 48 different points before 6am for duty. They said the personnel were also asked to have their breakfast at home and reach the pickup points before time.

However, the cost of anti-riot gear, including teargas shells used at five different places — China Chowk, Express Chowk, Fazal-i-Haq Road, Expressway and Chongi No 26 — was not known. On the other hand, many areas faced shortages of various food items due to road blockades.

Talking to Dawn, shopkeepers selling meat, chicken, milk and green groceries said they faced a shortage of items as the suppliers could not reach them. Poultry meat sellers said the supply of chicken fell by 75pc, which led to an increase in price. Almost all private educational institutions in the capital remained closed due to the protest.

Though there was no official closure of government educational institutions, attendance remained very low as most students were unable to reach their institutions due to road blockades.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2024