Pakistani hospitals prepare for mass casualties ahead of PTI rally

Hospitals in Pakistan's major cities have initiated contingency preparations ahead of a planned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest, with medical authorities issuing mass casualty alerts and clearing beds to accommodate potential emergency admissions. The move reflects security concerns surrounding the opposition party's demonstration, which has been expected to draw significant crowds. Healthcare administrators have advised staff to remain on standby and activated emergency response protocols to handle any incidents that might occur during the political rally. The decision to prepare for mass casualties highlights the volatile nature of recent political tensions in the country. Officials have not disclosed specific intelligence regarding threats, though the scale of preparation suggests authorities anticipate a potentially contentious event. The PTI, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has been organizing large-scale public demonstrations as part of its political campaign, with previous rallies occasionally resulting in clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel.