LAHORE, March 2: Punjab has been put on a red alert after intelligence reports indicated the possibility of Karachi-like incidents in other parts of the country during the visit of US President George W. Bush.

“The possibility of terrorism, including suicide attacks and bomb blasts in other parts of the country cannot be ruled out,” says a warning issued to all police heads in the province.

Heads of various law-enforcement agencies held emergency meetings in Punjab and reviewed security arrangements after the Karachi blasts.

Besides the threat, security has also been tightened in the city and elsewhere in the province to handle the strike call.

“We have chalked out a comprehensive plan to meet any untoward situation. Let me make one thing clear that nobody would be allowed to disrupt law and order,” Lahore Capital City Police Chief (CCPO), Additional IG Khwaja Khalid Farooq, told Dawn.

He said 15,000 policemen, besides scores of paramilitary forces had been deputed in the city to guard life and property of the people. He said a main control room set up at his office would coordinate and supervise the security measures.

Of the foreigners security, the police chief said his three senior officers had a meeting with US Consulate officials, who discussed the security in detail, besides visiting personally all of their installations.

There is a complete ban on holding rallies and nobody would be allowed to violate it, the police chief added. “We have asked traders that they will be given full security cover if they want to open their business. At the same time, we have conveyed in black and white to all political and religious groups a warning of strict action if they try to close any market forcibly,” Mr Farooq said.

Another senior police officer said the number of Pakistan Rangers, who were called in after the Feb 14 violence, had been increased. He added the paramilitary forces and police commandos had been deputed at all foreign and government installations, besides markets and other public places. The Rangers have been patrolling the city roads since Feb 14.

Places of worship, especially belonging to minorities, have also been provided with extra security cover. All main offices and other strongholds of religious parties, mainly the Jamaat-i-Islami headquarters, Mansoora, have been cordoned off by law enforcers.

The police officer said all entry and exit points had been picketed with the deployment of police who would keep an eye on everybody leaving and entering the city. Police patrol has also been enhanced on important roads like The Mall, Jail Road, Ferozpur Road.

Meanwhile, the police in the city continued raiding the houses and offices of activists of various religious and political parties to keep them away from any activity aimed at disturbing law and order.