LAHORE: Police have made standby arrangements to secure The Mall, important buildings/installations and provide complete security cover to Pakistan Awami Tehrik Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri and his supporters during their upcoming road activities.

Though Mr Qadri upon his arrival in Lahore didn't make fresh endorsement of his earlier announcement to lead a rally from Faisal Chowk to Data Darbar on Tuesday (today), police authorities devised their strategy to coordinate and facilitate Mr Qadri and provide him foolproof security.

"We acted as a facilitator by escorting Mr Qadri and his entourage from Allama Iqbal International Airport to Jinnah Hospital and then his Model Town residence. Mr Qadri was provided with bulletproof vehicles. We shall further extend cooperation and security to Mr Qadri within legal boundaries," said acting DIG (Operations) Muhammad Waqas Nazir.

Asked if police would allow Mr Qadri and his supporters to hold an anti-government rally on The Mall in violation of imposition of Section 144 of CrPC, the DIG said they would hold negotiations with PAT to convince them to limit their exposure in the wake of terror threats.

Nazir said police had not been deployed in and around Mr Qadri's residence and Minhajul Quran secretariat on the request of Mr Qadri who preferred his own security guards.

It was learnt that Lahore police had planned to engage 3,500 policemen as reserved force to cope with any untoward situation and authorities had bound all divisional SPs, SDPOs and SHOs to remain on duty till further orders.

Earlier, a large number of Dr Qadri's supporters, including women and children, had gathered at Minhajul Quran soon after his plane landed at the Lahore airport. They were overwhelmed by his arrival.

The PAT workers displayed big screens there to watch the happenings at the airport. To keep the supporters charged some activists both at the men and women camps chanted slogans in favour of Qadri and against Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at regular intervals.

After watching the development keenly for over four hours, the workers started clapping and chanted slogans on the news that Dr Qadri had agreed to leave the plane.

Asked as to why he did not go to the airport to receive his leader, PAT worker Muhammad Sabir said, "We have been told by our seniors to stay here to protect this place. A large number of activists were already at the airport to greet Qadri Sahib."

At Jinnah Hospital, a good number of women supporters showered rose petals on Dr Qadri where he inquired after the injured workers.

Published in Dawn, June 24th , 2014