Authorities have tightened security in the federal capital after opposition politician Imran Khan announced he will lead thousands of protesters into the capital’s high-security Red Zone at 6:00pm on Tuesday.
Islamabad’s Red Zone includes diplomatic posts, parliament, government offices and the presidential and prime ministerial residences.
The area has been fortified in three steps. Police have been deployed at the frontline, FC personnel are present in the second row, and Rangers personnel have been deployed outside the government offices and diplomatic posts.
All routes leading towards the heavily fortified area were completely sealed. Rubber bullets and tear gas shells have been provided to more than 10,000 policemen, FC personnel and Rangers.
Imran Khan, a former cricketer who lost the elections last year, announced at a rally in Islamabad on Monday calling for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down over alleged voting fraud in 2013 elections. Khan’s protest is part of twin demonstrations drawing tens of thousands of people wreaking havoc in the sleepy capital of 1.7 million people.
“I will be in front and workers will remain in the back so that if any bullet is fired it will hit me, not my workers,” Khan said.
