The government spent Rs149 million for the regulation of the PTI’s march

As a result of the PTI ‘Haqiqi Azadi March’, the government spent Rs149 million to maintain peace and order in the capital city of ISLAMABAD.

As police officers on the condition of anonymity informed Rapid News, the money was provided to them once the government received a formal request for it. IGP Dr Akbar Nasir Khan was unable to be reached for comment despite many efforts.

They couldn’t keep marchers out of the Red Zone, which they reached by dismantling barricades and even setting some trees on fire.

After a request for more cash was submitted to the chief commissioner’s office, it was then sent to the interior ministry and to the finance ministry for disbursement of funds,” police officials said.

Security officers from outside Islamabad were also summoned in response to the formal request from the police, who said that they would keep order.

The money was provided at the request of the police, who said they would use it for a supplemental grant.

More than that, other essentials will be provided, it said, adding that a large amount of money was already spent on the capital’s security during the 48th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers held in March 2022, as well as a vote of no-confidence against ousted prime minister and the subsequent election of incumbent Prime Minister.

A total of Rs150 million was requested for the police to handle these incidents, but no money has yet been authorised. No finances are now available from the police department, and suppliers were unwilling to supply services because of their outstanding debts.

Additional monies are urgently needed to guarantee appropriate security measures amid a law and order crisis caused by the PTI protest and sit-in, according to the funding request.

On the other hand, a sum of Rs149 million was requested for five days’ expenditures, which included Rs47,500,000 for 380 containers (each costing Rs125,000 per day), Rs1,300,000 to hire four cranes, and Rs1,000,000 for four tok lifters (each for Rs50,000 for five days).

Additionally, Rs2,798,500 was spent on 100 buses to transport the force from outside the capital to the capital (each costing Rs27,985), Rs9794,750 was spent on 350 buses to transport the force within the capital (each costing Rs27985), and Rs2,798,500 was spent on 100 buses to transport the force back to their respective districts (each costing Rs27,985), while Rs1,685,000 was spent on 100 trucks to transport logistics teams, food, and water (e (each costing Rs26,000).

In addition, Rs41,250,000 was requested for the meal costs of 15,000 officers of the capital and other district police for five days, the officers claimed, adding that an additional Rs35,300,000 was requested for the procurement of full anti-riot gear.

Similarly, Rs4,500,000 was requested for the procurement of other things (water, coolers, torches, power, etc.).

There are just a few dollars left in the budget for the capital’s police force, and those monies have been used up in the current fiscal year. When it comes to police funding, there are currently no monies available under any head of account that may be further re-appropriated in order to satisfy the needs of officers.

Rapid News was informed by sources in the chief commissioner’s office that Rs70,001,000 had been set up for cars and containers in the 2021-2022 budget and that the police afterwards received Rs67,815,000. There have been expenditures of Rs157,816,000 so far, they said.

Diet and food costs were also allotted Rs38,500,000 in the 2020-2021 budget, with an extra Rs34,500,000 going to the police. A total of Rs82,900,000 has been invested so far under the umbrella of the project.

At the National Assembly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the work of law enforcement agencies such as the capital police and Rangers as well as other departments like the Frontier Constabulary. He also mentioned the capital administration and the traffic police.

In addition, he offered a compensation plan for a police officer who was killed or wounded in the line of duty.