Security in the provincial metropolis remained high alert on Thursday due to the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to various places in the city. Security had been put on high alert since Wednesday evening and The Mall Road was virtually sealed. Shopping malls, markets and roadside shops remained closed, causing a huge business loss to the city.
Heavy contingents of police were deployed throughout the route of Ms Clinton to the historical sites of Lahore. Around 3,000 security personnel of Lahore city and an equal number of security personnel from other parts of the province were called in and deployed throughout her route.
A police official said they had directives to pick up any suspect from the scene immediately and shift him to the nearest police station. However, no one was allowed to open fire without prior approval of officer in charge in case someone starts indiscriminate firing on roadside.
All officials on duty, including senior officials, were asked to display their official identity cards and those issued by the special branch of police on their chests. Government departments and the law enforcement agencies had already held a full dress rehearsal of security measures.
Security had been beefed up especially at bus stops and petrol pumps and the law enforcement agencies kept a vigilant eye on any suspicious persons. The US Secretary of State visited Governor House, Chief Minister Secretariat, Government College University and various historical sites, including Data Darbar, Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort and Mazar-e-Iqbal.
A total of 17 educational institutions, including the University of Punjab, remained closed in the city. Especially, those institutions which are situated near The Mall Road had been closed on the directives of the district administration. Security personnel were deployed at all bus stops and no one was allowed to stay there longer.
Public transport also remained thin and passengers were found wandering in search of transport. The traffic police had designed a special traffic plan, diverting traffic on different interjections while blocking traffic flow to the areas where Ms Clinton was due to visit.
Sources told Business Recorder that petrol pump owners were directed to erect barriers to intercept free movement of vehicles, and scan every vehicle. Further, roadside dustbins and public washrooms were covered and locked accordingly. Police sources said three suspected persons were arrested from the vicinity of the graveyard Miani Sahib who were reportedly planning to target petrol pumps and schools. The sources said some security officers from the US also inspected important areas of the town to issue security clearance ahead of Ms Clinton's visit.