The government has adopted foolproof security measures to avert any terrorist attack on Independence Day, official sources said here on Wednesday. In view of volatile security situation in the country, possibility of attacks by suicide bombers and terrorists during the celebrations of Independence Day cannot be ruled out, the sources told this reporter.
The prevailing chaotic situation poses a challenge for law enforcing agencies. Hence the government is providing them with all possible assistance to combat terrorists, the sources added.
In conversation with this reporter, an Interior Ministry spokesman said, it was initially decided that the grand ceremony on Independence Day would be held at the Convention Centre of the federal capital in view of a recent spate of suicide attacks but later the decision was revoked. Security personnel of Islamabad in collaboration with Punjab police and rangers have been stationed at all sensitive places in Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan where people will mark the Independence Day.
According to sources, security will be tightened around army cantonments in Multan and parade area. A contingent of police officials will be deployed at residences of the President and the Prime Minister while security at parliament lodges and other important buildings in Islamabad.
The provincial authorities have been directed to ensure foolproof security at residences of foreign diplomats and around cultural centres of foreign countries in Pakistan, the sources said. The sources further said that a special cell had been set up in the national crises management cell of the Interior Ministry to monitor security arrangements on the occasion of Independence Day.
The Interior Ministry spokesman said so far no reports had been received by the ministry about activists of banned religious outfits; however, he said law enforcing agencies had been alerted to deal with any untoward incident.
Security at Islamabad Airport and other international airports in the country has been beefed up while law enforcing agencies are combing through parks and other sensitive public places with the help of sniffer dogs to seize explosives, the sources said.