LAHORE: The Punjab government on Thursday decided to request the PTI to cancel its Sept 3 rally in view of what it said serious security threats specific to the city. In case of ignoring the request, says government, the responsibility of any eventuality will squarely rest on its leadership.

The decision was taken after a round of marathon meetings at the highest level over the issue, and a letter conveying it (the decision) was issued to the divisional commissioner, CCPO and DCO for compliance.

Despite carrying instructions for proper official security arrangements, the letter showed the government’s lack of confidence in avoiding any untoward incident during the rally in which all opposition parties including the PPP are expected to take part.

Issues warning about specific threat

The letter issued by the Home Department in the evening asked the field officers to bring into the notice of senior PTI leaders the overall security environment prevailing in the country with a request to cancel the rally on Sept 3.

If they remain adamant on holding the rally (from Shahdara to Faisal Square on The Mall), it would be made clear to them that although the government was committed to providing maximum security to the rally, the responsibility of any untoward incident would squarely rest on the leadership.

The letter asked the officers to make foolproof security arrangements in and around the venue for the rally and the public meeting at the culmination point, strategically depute police, make parking plan and handle allied issues including the detailing of the PTI volunteers to assist police in performing security duty.

The officers were asked to immediately start combing and intelligence-based operations in the surrounding areas of the rally, ensure personal security of the political leaders in consultation with the PTI security staff.

All roads leading to the route of the rally and the public meeting should be blocked and well guarded to check suspicious persons’ entry. The organisers should also be approached to prevent political workers from indulging in any unlawful act or violence.

Maximum restraint should be ensured and the security personnel should stay away from the gathering. But there should be adequate security to protect the life and property of people. There should also be adequate rescue and relief arrangements for handling any emergency, the letter said.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2016