Islamabad police have taken delivery of a fleet of net‑launcher devices as part of the security build‑up for the Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) march that is slated to hit the capital later this week. The equipment, which is intended to immobilise participants without resorting to firearms, will be positioned at a number of strategic checkpoints throughout the city.
Net launchers fire a compact, high‑strength nylon net that expands on impact, entangling the legs or torso of a person and bringing them to a temporary halt. Because the system relies on kinetic restraint rather than projectiles or chemicals, authorities say it offers a safer alternative for crowd control when large assemblies are expected. Similar devices have been employed in several South Asian capitals to quell disturbances while keeping casualty rates low.
Police officials confirmed that the launchers will be deployed at the main entry points to the capital, including the Islamabad‑Rawalpindi Expressway, the Margalla‑Road intersection, and the vicinity of the Islamabad Secretariat. Senior superintendent Ali Raza explained that the placement is designed to intercept any surge of demonstrators before they reach government buildings or congested commercial zones, thereby reducing the likelihood of a sudden escalation.
The move comes amid a surge in political tension after PTI announced a mass mobilisation to press its demands on the federal government. In recent months, PTI rallies in Islamabad have occasionally turned violent, prompting criticism of the police’s response tactics. By introducing non‑lethal net launchers, the police hope to demonstrate a calibrated approach that can manage crowds efficiently while avoiding the bloodshed that has marred past confrontations.
For residents and commuters, the heightened security presence may translate into longer travel times and increased checkpoint checks, especially along the primary routes leading into the city centre. Authorities have urged the public to cooperate with police instructions and to stay informed through official channels as the march approaches, emphasizing that the primary goal is to safeguard both demonstrators and the wider community.