‘Lockdown’ in progress: City braces for PPP’s grand show

Schools and universities to remain closed today


Our Correspondents October 18, 2014

KARACHI:


Life is likely to come to a halt in the city today due to the Pakistan Peoples Party’s rally at the Quaid’s mazaar.


The Sindh government has already declared Saturday a public holiday to mark the urs of Abdullah Shah Ghazi which incidentally coincides with Bilawal’s formal launch into politics.

Residences located around the VIP routes - Sharae Faisal, Sharae Quaideen were surveyed. “We have surveyed around 1,800 houses and apartments close to the rally’s venue,” said a senior police officer, while talking to The Express Tribune. “These include Khudadad Colony and Lines Area. The survey will also help us in the future, particularly during Muharram.”



Staying connected

The cellular services may also be suspended in the city. The police has requested that all mobile network services should remain suspended as a security measure.

The Sindh government has reportedly written to the federal government to suspend mobile phone services in the city on Saturday.  PPP Senator Saeed Ghani, however, said that mobile services will not be suspended but jammers might be installed at the venue.

Security measures

Around 22,500 police personnel will be on duty on the day of the rally, said Karachi police spokesperson. They have asked for men from the Sindh Reserve Police, Hyderabad and other regions for the rally.

Zonal police chiefs will be responsible for security arrangements in their jurisdictions while the Additional IGP Karachi will be the overall in-charge of entire security arrangements.

According to the spokesperson, the media will not be allowed to use drone cameras.



He said that search and surveillance parties will be using 110 walk-through gates while many CCTVs cameras will also be operating in the area.

Two Special Security Unit vans equipped with the latest technology will be stationed at the venue. One will be used to monitor the venue while the other will be there for the VVIPs. Around 27 parking lots will be available for vehicles while the Karachi Traffic Police has also issued a separate operational plan, which includes diversions and parking arrangements to maintain a smooth flow of traffic.

Buses to ply

Transporters and businessmen have said that they will work according to their routine. The chairperson of the Karachi Tajir Ittehad Atiq Mir told The Express Tribune that the city will be open for business on Saturday and all the major markets will be open as usual except those near the rally due to security concerns. The electronic market in Saddar, Sea Breeze area and Guru Mandir will remain closed.

Karachi Transport Ittehad chief Irshad Bukhari said that the PPP had hired 3,000 minibuses and coaches to ferry people to the rally.

No schools today

Public and private educational institutions in the city will remain closed on Saturday as the Sindh government has announced a public holiday.

“Please understand that we avoid cancelling classes on weekends as it is extremely difficult to reschedule these sessions,” said the executive director of a private university in Defence Housing Authority. “Unfortunately, the situation is sometimes beyond our control.”

Meanwhile, Karachi University and the Sindh Board and Technical Education have also postponed exams scheduled for the day. However, the courts will remain open.

Medical care

All hospitals in the city have been told to stay on alert. Over 100 ambulances from Chhipa, Edhi and other welfare organisations are ready on standby in case any untoward incident takes place.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2014.

COMMENTS (2)

Navaid | 9 years ago | Reply

People of NA-250, ask yourselves, what has PTI done for you since Arif Alvi was given the NA seat by the ISI. Think about it.......

Haris | 9 years ago | Reply

They did surveys and house to house checks for just one person wanting to leave his house to become a king.... why haven't they done a similar survey to curb terrorism in the city during last 20 years??? PPP & MQM are directly responsible for thousands of deaths due to their sheer negligence in establishing peace in the city, and the province at large!

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