The federal government Monday decided to deploy Rangers and police to bar the long march of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) from entering the red zone in Islamabad, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The interior ministry has written a letter to the chief secretaries of Punjab, Azad Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to inform them about the federal government’s decision. Directions have also been issued to the director general Punjab Rangers in this regard.

It is also learnt that as many as 2,000 officials of Punjab Rangers will be deployed in Islamabad, and, 200 policewomen have been ordered to reach Islamabad for security duty amid PPP’s long march.

Furthermore, a total of 1,000 policemen of Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police are also reaching the federal capital.

Also, the policemen will be accompanied by 1,000 Punjab Constabulary personnel who are reportedly arriving in Islamabad. All the police personnel coming from other cities will be under the command of Islamabad administration.

It is also reported that 400 gas grenades and two water cannons have been brought from Punjab for the possible use of force against the participants of the long march.

The availability of 740 gas masks for policemen, and 100 special barriers for blocking routes, is also being ensured. Authorities concerned have also been ordered to send 15 prisoner vans from Punjab to Islamabad.

Reporter: Awais Kiyani