Section 144 imposed in Rawalpindi prior to the Arrival of Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri

Rawalpindi-As Rawalpindi prepares for the arrival Pakistan Awami Tehreek Chief Tahir ul Qadri ,section 144 of the code of criminal procedure was imposed in the city and public gatherings have been banned until 12pm on June 24.

Qadri is due to arrive at Benazir Bhutto International Airport on 23 June 8 am.

Pillion riding has been banned in the city and mobile services may be suspended in Islamabad and Rawalpindi tomorrow.

PAT leader Dr Raheeq Abbasi said that the imposition of section 144 will not stop PAT workers from receiving their leader at the airport.

"Our organisation team in Islamabad-Rawalpindi is co-ordinating with the district police officer (DPO) and DCO to make arrangements for Qadri's reception"Dr Abbasi said.

"We attempted to organise the reception in a manner that didn't trouble anyone"he said,adding that the police invited 12 of their workers last night under the ruse of finalising said arrangements and arrested them instead.

He claimed that over 500 party workers have been suspended from different parts of the country.

Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rasheed also talked to media and said that the police was raiding the homes of PAT workers and arresting them."Whenever the government says that they will give a freehand in organising a protest ,it means they will create hindrances"Rasheed said,adding that he will give more details in the Press conference at Islamabad on 6pm.

PTI Punjab Chairman Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhary claimed that the government wishes to repeat the Model Town tragedy .He told express news that the two Sharif Brothers had a hand in creating trouble.

Strict security arrangements would be made in at and around Benzir Bhutto International Airport .Passenger vehicles will be banned from the airports and army troops would be deployed to avoid any unpleasant incident.Containers have been already placed around the airport as a security measure.Airport Road will be suspended on Monday and public transport to the airport will also be stopped.Two choppers will observe Qadri's arrival and 10000 personnel will be deployed from airport to Gujar Khan.

Media coverage will also be restricted.