Punjab

5,000 policemen to guard PTI rally

He said 40 commandoes would provide security to PTI chief Imran Khan. The route will be monitored through CCTV cameras

Muhammad Shahzad September 02, 2016

He said 40 commandoes would provide security to PTI chief Imran Khan. The route will be monitored through CCTV cameras. PHOTO: AFP

LAHORE: Lahore police have finalised a security plan for Saturday’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) rally from Shahdara to Charing Cross. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Operations DIG Haider Ashraf said 5,000 police officials would be on duty on the occasion.

He said the participants would be checked at five points before being allowed to join the rally. They will be frisked, checked using hand-held metal detectors and asked to pass through walk-through gates. Two points have been designated for checking vehicles.

Teams from Bomb Disposal Squad and Special Branch will inspect the route before the rally. Sniffer dogs will also be used for the purpose. Plainclothesmen would also be deployed, the DIG said. He said special security measures had been made for women.

At least two police vehicles will escort the rally. Streets leading to the rally route will be cordoned off using containers and barbed wires.

Ashraf said snipers would be deployed at buildings along the rally’s route. Shahdara Chowk and Charing Cross will be blocked using containers. Squads of Quick Response Force, Elite Force, Dolphin Force and Quick Response Force will patrol the areas along the route. Two water cannons and an anti-riot force contingent would also be deployed, the DIG said. He said 40 commandoes would provide security to PTI chief Imran Khan. The route will be monitored through CCTV cameras.

Security arrangements will be monitored from the Central Computerised Command and Control Room established at the offices of the DIG SPs concerned. Ashraf said the security plan had been prepared in consultation with the rally organisers and PTI leaders. He said party leaders had been told about the threats.

Separately, Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Sukhera ordered that security be tightened across the province following Saturday’s bombings in Peshawar and Mardan. He ordered the RPOs and the DPOs to enhance patrolling around schools, media houses, banks, bus stands, markets and railway stations.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2016.