KARACHI: Special security being planned for Benazir
By S. Raza Hassan
KARACHI, Oct 10: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has, with the advice of the Sindh police, chalked out a comprehensive security plan for October 18 when PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto is due to end her eight years of self-imposed exile and land at the Quaid-i-Azam International Airport.
With the hope that her scheduled arrival will match the welcome that was afforded to her in 1986 in Lahore, party sources expect that following the 11am touchdown, it will take no less than seven to eight hours for Ms Bhutto to reach Mazar-i-Quaid, many kilometres away. Other party workers, however, have said that given the mammoth public turnout expected, Ms Bhutto would hardly be able to reach Sharea Faisal by 4pm.
The PPP has submitted to the Home Department the route Ms Bhutto’s procession will take from the airport to the Mazar-i-Quaid. The retinue will travel along Sharea Faisal until Nursery after which it is expected to take the Sharah-i-Quaideen route, said sources.
Sources informed Dawn that meetings between PPP representatives and the police are being held nearly every day to chalk out a security plan for October 18 and a meeting between party representatives and the provincial home secretary is expected on October 12. The party is aiming for foolproof security arrangements, particularly in view of Baitullah Mehsood’s threat of a suicide bombing.
The interior ministry has announced that full security cover will be provided to Ms Bhutto upon her arrival and in face of the lack of police resources, the PPP is reportedly spending huge sums on gadgetry designed to protect the former prime minister from citizens who may wish her harm.
Specially-designed vehicle
Sources within the police department and the PPP say that apart from the two bullet-proof cars expected to become available before October 18, a specially-designed vehicle resembling that used by Pope Benedict will transport Ms Bhutto to the Mazar-i-Quaid. This vehicle will have a bullet-proof, transparent top so that the leader can wave to her constituents and it will be reinforced in a manner that will allow it to function like an armoured vehicle that can withstand the impact of an explosion.
Additionally, special jammers will be installed in Ms Bhutto’s vehicle and at strategic points along her route which would disable the detonating trigger of any potential bomb. As a side effect, the jammers may also disrupt the cellular network.
The vehicle will also be equipped with an air-conditioning unit since the former prime minister would find it virtually impossible to travel in such a heavily-protected vehicle in view of the prevailing weather conditions. Between 500 and 600 police personnel are expected to be deployed as part of the security plan for October 18 and the superintendents of all the towns concerned are to be given specific tasks so that the area is divided up between them. In addition, a comprehensive security order is to be issued by the Capital City Police Officer. The police will also carry out air surveillance with a helicopter. However, sources added that the inner cordon surrounding Ms Bhutto will be secured by party activists while the law enforcement agencies will be responsible for the outer cordon only.
It has not yet been settled whether Ms Bhutto will address the masses at Sharah-i-Quaideen or somewhere along Sharea Faisal.
