Khan’s Call to protest

One can question whether the Islamabad Police are getting ready for war based on the extent of the preparations.
In preparation for the protest that the PTI has scheduled for this Sunday, the capital’s police have reportedly requisitioned thousands of security personnel, 1,200 containers, a significant amount of anti-riot equipment, thousands of rubber bullets, and thousands of tear gas guns and shells.
The authorities have been informed that millions of rupees will be needed to feed and transport law enforcement officers while they are stationed in the city, and they have also sought tens of thousands of reinforcements from the FC, Rangers, Sindh, and Punjab police. Meanwhile, the city’s Section 144 has been extended for an additional two months, and based on the security measures, it looks like Islamabad will once more become what the locals derogatorily refer to as “Containeristan.” Does all of this really need to happen? You have to ask.
By revealing its plans, the city government may have wanted to show strength, but instead it appears to be in a panic. If previous precedents are taken into account, the PTI’s proclamation of a march on Islamabad is not unusual; large rallies and sit-ins are an inherent part of Pakistan’s political process. The stakes may have been raised by the party’s choice to portray this protest as a “do or die” situation, but if TV commentators’ forecasts and analyses are to be believed, the number of security guards needed for the event will likely be far greater than the number of protesters. Perhaps Islamabad Police should focus its efforts on developing a strategy for accommodating the right of protesting people while taking security issues into consideration, rather than announcing that it is ready for a “war” with them.
To guarantee turnout, the PTI leadership must reduce the intensity of its rhetoric and reevaluate the pressure it is putting on its cadres. It shows a lack of faith in the party’s stance when lawmakers are required to show up with a certain number of supporters or forgo their party ticket. Some ardent supporters might be persuaded to take more drastic actions in order to appease their leaders if they are forced to demonstrate their “loyalty.” This might work against you.
It is not appropriate to give the demonstrators the impression that they are marching to “conquer” Islamabad. The party has the right to organize and protest, but it also needs to show that it understands its obligation to keep its actions peaceful. Both the PTI and the Islamabad government need to be mindful of how their actions will be seen as November 24 approaches and stay within the bounds of