February 25, 2007	Sunday	Safar 7, 1428

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LAHORE, Feb 24: The capital city police extended full security cover to president Musharraf and other VVIPs on the eve of Basant on Saturday while Lahorites were left with nothing but to laugh at their safety plan.

Police officials, who had to be deployed in various parts of the city to check kite flying violations and avoid any untoward incident, were found missing at majority of places.

Motorcyclists who had been directed to install wires on their bikes to save themselves from string-related incidents, were seen on roads without any check by the police.

Security officials of every police station and police reserves were rather used for the VVIP security.

Police officers and officials were deployed in force in and around the routes of President Pervez Musharraf who had to visit Fortress Stadium, Qadhafi Stadium and the Walled City.

Besides, federal and provincial ministers, senior government officials and foreign dignitaries were also provided police mobiles, elite force and Mujahid force vehicles.

The capital city police had been directed to deploy 5,000 officials and run 105 mobiles in the city to provide comprehensive security cover to citizens.

Operations police sources said that at least eight police officers from each police station were sent to the security escort and routes of VVIPs besides hundreds of officials, who were earlier directed to patrol their respective areas to maintain law and order on Basant.

“How can I serve security duty and check violation of kite flying in my area according to CCPO’s directives when I have been called for providing security and escort to VVIPs,” an SHO said on the condition of anonymity.

TRAFFIC MESS: Traffic snarls were also witnessed in the city on all-important roads mainly due to the presence of VVIPs on Saturday evening.

Locals and tourists in large numbers also thronged the roads to celebrate the festival at around 8pm which resulted in the blockade of traffic on several roads, including The Mall, Canal Road, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Jail Road, Ferozepur Road, Multan Road and other places.

Most of the crossings and signals were without traffic police officials.

The commuters, who were entering the city from Chuhng, remained stranded on Multan Road for two to three hours, said commuter Ahmed Ali.

Another commuter Muhammad Rashid said traffic choked on Ferozepur Road near Icchra and on Jail Road for couple of hours.

The worst-affected areas were Gulberg, Samanabad, Walled City, Garhi Shahu, Misri Shah, Lorry Adda, Minar-i-Pakistan, Canal Road, Chauburji and Railway Station.