Over 3,000 security personnel on high alert today

Govt imposes ban on carrying weapons in Karachi to avoid any untoward incidents, ahead of Imran Farooq's funeral.

KARACHI: More than 3,000 police and Rangers personnel will be on high alert today to ensure foolproof security for the arrival of Dr Imran Farooq’s body from London. The body is expected to arrive around 9 am.

The law-enforcement personnel will be deployed mainly on the route from the airport to Azizabad, where the slain Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader will be buried.

Policemen, who will stand guard from Jinnah International Airport to Moti Mahal in Gulshan-e-Iqbal will be working under DIG East while those deployed between Moti Mahal and Azizabad will be led by DIG West, CCPO Karachi Fayyaz Leghari told Express News. All routes leading to the graveyard from the airport will also be checked by the Bomb Disposal Squad.

In order to avoid any untoward incidents, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik has also imposed Section 144, a ban on carrying arms, for 48 hours. The ban is scheduled to come into force at the stroke of midnight on Friday.

Malik also held a meeting at the National Crisis Management Cell to finalise security arrangements. It has been decided that Dr Farooq’s body will be taken to Jinnah Grounds in a helicopter. After the namaz-e-janaza, the burial will take place at the Azizabad graveyard. Malik also held a meeting with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad at Governor House to inform him of the security arrangements.

Meanwhile, Sindh Health Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed is reported to have declared emergency in all government hospitals in the city. The employees of all hospitals will remain on alert till midnight on Sunday.

Alternate routes

Capital City Traffic Police Karachi announced on Friday the following alternate routes.

Road users from Liaquatabad to Sohrab Goth are requested to go through Nazimabad No. 4, Board Office, 5-Star Chowrangi and Nagan Chowrangi. From Liaquatabad No. 10, road users can take a right towards Civic Centre to reach their destinations.

People from Sohrab Goth to Aisha Manzil and Liaquatabad No. 10 can proceed via Sohrab Goth. Take a left turn at the overhead bridge towards Nagan Chowrangi, Sher Shah Suri Road and then take another left turn to Shah Waliullah Road, Fazal Mill and Gulshan-e-Iqbal to reach their destinations.

Additional input by APP/PPI/Online.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2010.