December 26, 2007	Wednesday	Zilhaj 15, 1428

RAWALPINDI, Dec 25: Elaborate security arrangements are being made to provide maximum security to Pakistan People’s Party chairperson, Benazir Bhutto who is to address a public rally at Liaquat Bagh on Thursday and faces life threats from pro-Taliban militants, a senior police official informed Dawn here on Tuesday.

To review the security arrangements for the PPP’s rally, a meeting chaired by District Coordination Officer (DCO) Irfan Elahi was held here at his office. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operation Yasin Farooq, SSP traffic Sabir Ahmed and other senior officials of the district administration and PPP representatives attended the meeting.

The official, who was privy to the meeting, said about two kilometre area around Liaquat Bagh would be declared as ‘buffer zone’ and anybody going towards the rally site would have to pass through three search points, one at getting out of vehicles, the other while moving towards the rally venue and the third at the walk-through gate. He added metal detectors would also be used for body search.

As part of the security arrangements, the official said, the Murree Road from Committee Chowk to Mareer Chowk would be closed and traffic would be diverted to Rawal Road while parking place for vehicles of the PPP leaders would be specified away from the site of the rally.

He added security personnel would be deployed at rooftops of the nearby buildings and along roads where Benazir was expected to lead the rally.

He further said nobody would be allowed to carry and display weapons during the rally.