LAHORE, Nov 10: Top government officials sat here till late Saturday night to `finalize a security plan’ before the arrival of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto here on Sunday, indicating that only main leaders of the party would be allowed to receive her at the airport.
Ms Bhutto is reaching Lahore for the first time after ending her nearly nine-year exile to prepare for her announced long march to Islamabad on Nov 13. And there are reports that she will not be allowed to begin the march. The PPP local leaders however brushed aside any such plan by the provincial government and said no-one could stop the long march by people.
According to PPP sources, Ms Bhutto was expected to reach the Lahore airport at 1pm and she might talk to the press immediately after arrival.
PPP sources also said that there would not be any public reception upon the arrival of Ms Bhutto at the airport. During her stay in the city she was also expected to meet senior columnists and party leaders.
Meanwhile, sources in the Punjab government said Ms Bhutto would be provided full security. But her movement would be restricted because of what they said security risks.
They said PPP workers would not be allowed to reach the airport at any cost. Only main leaders could welcome her after establishing their identity on pickets to be set up around the airport.
Local PPP leaders were holding a meeting with the administration to seek clearance for the main PPP leaders for Ms Bhutto’s reception, the sources revealed, adding “Ms Bhutto will arrive here and go directly to where she intends to stay.”
Regarding the permission to start the long march, the sources said there was an overall ban on rallies and public meetings in the province, including Lahore, and “the government expects everyone to respect this restriction.”
They said law was equal for everyone and the government would enforce the ban on public rallies and meetings. “We are determined to enforce the ban,” they said in clear terms.
The chief minister was in Islamabad on Saturday and the sources said a final decision on how to handle the long march would be taken at a later stage.
POLICE PLAN: Lahore police will provide comprehensive security cover to the PPP chairperson, capital city police officer additional IG Malik Muhammad Iqbal told Dawn.
“Personnel in large number will be deployed along the route from the Lahore airport to PPP leader’s Model Town residence,” he said.
The CCPO said police officials would also be deployed outside her Model Town residence during her stay and she would move in the city under police cover.
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