LAHORE: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah says the important buildings on The Mall were provided security in the wake of recent threat alert but he blames the protest demonstration for the tragedy.

“Had there been no protest demonstration, this incident would not have occurred,” Sanaullah told a private TV channel on Monday.

On receiving threat alert, he said the security of important buildings on The Mall like Governor House, Punjab Assembly and Lahore High Court was beefed up. However, he said, the protest provided the opportunity to terrorist(s) to target it.

The National Counter Terrorism Authority had issued a threat alert on Feb 7, saying a terrorist group had planned an attack in Lahore. It had sought vigilance for all important buildings, hospitals and schools.

Published in Dawn February 14th, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

AJK elections
29 Jul, 2026

AJK elections

CONSIDERING the political unrest that has rocked Azad Jammu and Kashmir in the recent past, free and fair general...
Still vulnerable
29 Jul, 2026

Still vulnerable

THE State Bank’s decision to hold the policy rate at 11.5pc is a prudent response to the heightened risks the...
Guarding the past
29 Jul, 2026

Guarding the past

THE return of 513 smuggled archaeological artefacts from the US is a welcome homecoming for objects that should ...
Lull in fighting
Updated 28 Jul, 2026

Lull in fighting

AFTER two weeks of escalating violence, the US has halted its strikes on Iran, with Tehran also silencing it guns....
Water policy
28 Jul, 2026

Water policy

THE country is caught in a crisis where there too much water at the wrong time and too little when it is most ...
Ending hepatitis
28 Jul, 2026

Ending hepatitis

WORLD Hepatitis Day is being observed under the theme ‘Hepatitis: Let’s break it down’, a call to remove the...