Authorities have tightened security across Rawalpindi and Islamabad and positioned containers at key roads and entry points as the twin cities prepare for a series of protest marches announced by political parties and farmers' groups over the coming days.
Containers have been moved to Faizabad, Murree Road and the Faizabad Flyover, while similar arrangements have been made along the Islamabad Expressway and other major routes connecting Rawalpindi with the federal capital.
Preparations have also been completed for the possible closure of Islamabad's entry points if required, with authorities expected to restrict access from Murree Road and the Expressway as part of the security plan.
The measures come as several groups prepare to converge on the twin cities, including Jamaat-i-Islami, Kisan Ittehad and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
More than 22,000 security personnel are expected to be deployed in Islamabad, while Rawalpindi police have sought thousands of additional personnel to assist local forces in maintaining security during the protests. Containers have also been positioned along highways and at open spaces for possible use in blocking routes.
Containers have already been placed at several locations in Islamabad, including Faizabad, Serena Chowk, Srinagar Highway, Margalla Avenue and T-Chowk Rawat. D-Chowk has also been sealed as authorities prepare to prevent protesters from reaching sensitive areas of the capital.
Security officials have prepared plans to restrict movement through major routes leading into Islamabad if the protest situation requires further closures.
Police and the civil administration in both cities have been making arrangements for additional manpower, containers, barricades and anti-riot equipment ahead of the demonstrations. Earlier preparations included plans to seal the Red Zone, High Security Zone and Islamabad's major entry and exit points.
The security buildup comes as Jamaat-i-Islami's train march moves towards Rawalpindi and Islamabad as part of its campaign against the petroleum levy.
JI launched its train march from Karachi on Sunday, with party chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman leading supporters towards the federal capital. The march is scheduled to reach Rawalpindi on Tuesday, September 22.
JI has said its protest is aimed at seeking a reduction in the petroleum levy and fuel prices. The party has also mobilised supporters from different parts of the country for its march towards Islamabad.
Another major protest is expected on September 25, when Kisan Ittehad plans to bring farmers towards Islamabad.
Pakistan Kissan Ittehad has announced the protest over issues including agricultural policies, wheat prices, production costs and other problems facing farmers. Its leadership has said farmers from different parts of the country will participate.
PTI's farmers' wing has also announced support for the Kisan Ittehad protest.
Two days later, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf plans to hold its long march towards Islamabad on September 27.
PTI leaders have said the protest will include demands for the release of party founder Imran Khan and other political and constitutional demands raised by the party. PTI's leadership and its allies have publicly confirmed September 27 as the date for the march.
The federal government has said it will prevent protesters from unlawfully entering or occupying the federal capital. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said last week that authorities would take measures to stop any attempt to march on Islamabad in violation of the law or court directives.
The Islamabad High Court has also ruled that political parties do not have a legal right to occupy roads, highways or public buildings and directed provincial chief ministers to ensure that government machinery is not used for the September 27 protest.
Against this backdrop, the Rawalpindi and Islamabad administrations have stepped up preparations to deal with the series of demonstrations.
Additional police personnel have been called from different districts, while law-enforcement personnel have been placed on alert at major entry points, highways and other sensitive locations.
Security preparations are also being made along routes connecting Islamabad and Rawalpindi with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of Punjab.
Authorities have kept containers ready for deployment on Murree Road, the Expressway and around Faizabad, raising the possibility of further road closures if the situation changes.
The administration has also completed preparations to completely restrict selected entrances to Islamabad if required during the protest marches.
The security measures are expected to affect traffic between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, particularly around Faizabad and other major gateways to the federal capital.
With Jamaat-i-Islami's march approaching Rawalpindi, the Kisan Ittehad protest scheduled for September 25 and PTI's long march planned for September 27, security and administrative arrangements are expected to remain in place across the twin cities throughout the week.
Reporter: Irshad Qureshi