ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry on Friday submitted before the Upper House details about the money spent on security during various sit-ins and rallies in the last five years.
The ministry officials told the Senate that a sum of Rs755.9 million was spent on security arrangements alone during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) sit-in in Islamabad in 2014.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PAT) 2014 sit-in began on August 14 that year and lasted for a total of 126 days. The supporters and leadership of PTI held the protest close to the city’s Red Zone. Their major demand was the resignation of the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Both the PTI and PAT marched to the capital’s Red Zone, to conduct the protest, however following the attack on Army Public School, Peshawar in December, the sit-in was finally called off by the PTI leader Imran Khan.
RS210M SPENT ON 2016 LOCKDOWN:
A total of Rs210 million was spent on security preparations for PTI’s 2016 ‘lockdown’ that was supposed to take place on November 2, 2016.
The lockdown never happened as the decision was taken back by the party following the Supreme Court’s announcement of forming a judicial commission to start an investigation against the Sharifs.
RS134M SPENT ON 2017 FAIZABAD SIT-IN:
A total of Rs 133.8 million was spent at security during the Faizabad Interchange sit-in which was conducted by a religious party, against the controversial amendment to the Finality of Prophethood clause in the declaration for elected candidates.
The major demand of the group was the resignation of then federal law minister Zahid Hamid. However, the sit-in was called off as the authorities in Islamabad reached an agreement with the protestors.
2018 PAT SIT-IN:
A total of Rs33.2 million were spent at the demonstration led by PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri.
The march took place on January 14, 2013, when Qadri and his supporters marched from Lahore to Islamabad sat at the Jinnah Avenue for over four days.
PAT conducted the protest against corrupt politicians and wanted electoral reforms for the general elections that were coming up.
A total of Rs12.6 million was spent on a rally by parties against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.