Religious gathering: Security beefed up in the twin cities

ISLAMABAD: Over 1,000 police personnel have been deployed at the site for the three-day ‘Tableghi-Ijtima’ (religious gathering) in sector I-11/1, one of the biggest religious congregations starting here on Saturday.  Rangers will assist the city police in security duties. All participants of the gathering will have to go through metal detectors and walk-through gates. The police have established three-entry points for the congregation, besides allocating space for parking, said a police spokesperson.  Police patrols will monitor the area round-the-clock during the congregation. Senior police officials will supervise the security arrangements. A control room has been established for coordination among deployed staff through wireless system. Bomb disposal squad teams will also remain stationed at the site. The traffic police have devised a plan to avoid traffic jam from Pirwadhai More to Railway Gate on I.J. Principal Road, Sir Syed road and Police Lines Road.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2012.