Protests organized by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over the past 18 months have cost the government PKR 2 billion, intensifying the strain on Pakistan’s already struggling economy, according to Geo News.
Escalating Costs and Damages
- Total Expenditure: Managing PTI protests and sit-ins across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad has cost PKR 2.7 billion.
- Recent Spike: Over the last six months, costs surged to PKR 1.2 billion due to heightened demonstrations.
- Property Damage: Public and private property damages reached PKR 1.5 billion, including losses to Safe City cameras worth PKR 280 million and damage to 220 police vehicles.
Security Costs
To maintain order, authorities have deployed extensive resources:
- Personnel Deployment: Over 30,000 security personnel mobilized for key protest sites in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Attock, and Islamabad.
- Transportation Costs: Moving security forces cost more than PKR 900 million, with catering expenses adding another PKR 1.5 billion.
- Container Rentals: Authorities spent PKR 800 million to secure 3,000 containers for blocking key routes.
Human and Financial Toll
- Loss of Lives: Four security personnel lost their lives, while over 220 were injured in clashes during these protests.
- Military Expenses: Deploying Frontier Corps (FC), Rangers, and army personnel added another PKR 300 million to the bill.
Protests Continue Amid Financial Strain
PTI has organized over 120 protests in the last 18 months, including a recent demonstration on Sunday. Preparations for the event alone involved deploying 34,000 personnel, costing an estimated PKR 300 million.
The protests have not only drained Pakistan’s financial resources but also caused significant disruption to public life, leaving the government to grapple with rising economic and security challenges.
