PTI’s protest postponement to double security cost in Islamabad

The government of Pakistan will be spending Rs46.5 million per day to cover security expenses for 1,550 containers deployed to counter the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) protest in Islamabad. The PTI had initially announced a nationwide protest beginning on September 27, but later postponed it by a week, leading to a significant increase in security costs.

Initially, the capital police requested Rs820 million to cover expenses related to container rentals, accommodations, and meals for police personnel from Punjab and Sindh. However, with the PTI's protest postponement, the costs are now expected to rise to more than Rs1 billion for a two-week period. The containers and personnel were meant to disperse by October 4, but the police have yet to decide whether to release or retain the containers in their custody.

The Sindh Police contingent, which has already arrived in Islamabad, is being fed three meals a day at a cost of Rs600 per person, totaling Rs8.4 million for one week. The Punjab Police contingent, scheduled to arrive by September 25, has not yet reached the capital. Apart from the containers and personnel, the police also arranged 70 coasters, 30 double-cabin vehicles, and buses for transportation, with daily rental costs amounting to Rs1.35 million.

Approximately 2,700 vehicles, including those carrying goods, have been confiscated and their crew members detained until a decision is made on releasing the containers.