BANIGALA would be just another suburban settlement on the outskirts of the capital, if it hadn`t been for that house on the hill. But just two days before he is scheduled to lock down the nation`s capital, there islittle excitement or trepidation, for that matter in Imran Khan`s own neighbourhood about what may happen.

But that is because there are twoBanigalas: one that is dominating TV screens everyone, and the one that is visible to the naked eye.

Driving into this secluded settlement, one encounters a small picket on Park Road. Here, a small contingent of low-ranking police officers constables, head constables and policewomen check people`s identity and let them pass. The only vehicles turned back are those visibly overloaded with people who can only be PTI supporters.

But, at the same time, workers travelling in cars and on bikes are allowed to proceed without incident.

The second picket is located several kilometres away, in the very heart of Banigala, on what has come to be known as `Imran Khan Chowk`. Here too, FC and security personnel in plainclothes examine each vehicle before letting it pass.Locals and journalists are allowed to pass without incident; even lesserknown PTI leaders and workers get a free pass. Only prominent leaders, such as Shireen Mazari and Arif Alvi, are given a tough time. Police reporters say the orders are clear and come from on high.

`Don`t believe everything you see on television,` mutters a dejected DSNG operator as he walks up the hill to the media dais installed outside Mr Khan`s property.

A barricade that opens and closes on the orders of someone deep inside the hilltop estate holds media workers at bay, but only just. Industrious popcorn and tobacco vendors have set up shop among the multitudes of news vans parked along the narrow hill road.

The media camp is buzzing with excitement; car ACs whir as anchorpersons try to keep their make-up intact between live hits and reporters and camerapersons mill about, looking for someone to interview. Once in a while, a prominent leader will show up and everyone will huddle around them, capturing every word and hanging on every sentence.

Thrice a day, reporters say, Mr Khan descends from his estate and holds forth at the dais. But of late, he`s been unpredictable. For example, his Monday morning push-ups, which were broadcast (almost) live across the country on Monday, took place at an underconstruction property halfway between his own estate and the bottom of the steep incline, where the media is camped out.

`This morning, when Mr Khan decided to do his morning workout onlive TV, we had to rush our cameras up that hill and then rush the footage back down to be streamed as live,` a TV reporter complained when asked about the PTI leader`s routine.

Trudging up the steep incline towards Mr Khan`s residence is hard work for most out-of-shape reporters and many have to stop to catch their breath half way up the slope. Alongside them is a steady stream of supporters; men and women, young and old; all having made the pilgrimage at their party chief`s command. Some are dragging up their luggage with them, doubtlessly preparingforthelonghaul.

Others are just sprawled on mats along the side of the road, waiting for marching orders.

None of them seem exhausted or disheartened, but there are a lot fewer of them than have been seen on previous PTI outings.

`This is not the crowd that we are used to seeing at PTI events. The families and the urban crowd the party always appealed to are not coming out, it`s mostly die-hard supporters and party workers,` says Maria Memon, who hosts her own primetime TV show on A RY News.

In her estimation, this is nothing we haven`t seen before. `PTI always banks on the media hype to muster support, so this is not something the government couldn`t have foreseen. The question now is: what will be the cost of stopping [PTI workers from coming here]?` she asks, referring to the blockade of the motorway and the GT Road, which is holding the Pervez Khattak-led contingent of PTI supporters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at bay.Answering the million dollar question, she admits that Imran Khan has screen presence and does fetch ratings; even Sheikh Rashid is a proven ratings-magnet. `Whatever show he appears on becomes a hit,` she says, slightly out of breath after having climbed the steep incline towards Mr Khan`s estate.

There is no shortage of theories and stratagems among the journalists congregated atop this hill. `People are saying he`s backed himself into a corner, that Banigala just isn`t visible enough, notes one reporter.

Others are less willing to stick their necks out. `Let`s wait and see what theSupreme Court says on Tuesday,` a more seasoned scribe offers.

Crime reporters, meanwhile, speak in hushed tones about the unseen police presence in this hillside settlement. `Islamabad police has a force of around 15,000 and they have received roughly the same number in reinforcements from other provinces. At least half of them are hiding in the hills and fields around Imran Khan`s house,` a veteran of the police beat says, forebodingly.

No one is sure what will happen on Nov 2, but whatever it may be, you`ll be sure to hear about it on TV, live from Banigala.