ISLAMABAD: A high alert was declared for the capital after the police Special Branch issued concerns that about 25,000 to 30,000 people would attend the death anniversary of Mumtaz Qadri on March 1 when the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit is scheduled to be held in Islamabad.

Head of states and governments along with delegates from 10 countries will be attending the 13th session of the ECO.

The death anniversary of Mumtaz Qadri, who was hanged for assassinating former governor Punjab Salman Taseer, would also be observed the same day.

The Special Branch earlier approached the interior ministry with a suggestion to change the date of the summit as it would be difficult to convince the organisers of the death anniversary to postpone it, a police officer told Dawn on the condition of anonymity.

Special Branch says about 25,000 to 30,000 people will also gather in capital to observe Mumtaz Qadri’s death anniversary on Mar 1

The ministry contacted the Foreign Office which replied that it had already received confirmation from the participating countries and the rescheduling of the summit at this stage would be impossible, he added.

Later, the police were asked to approach those who were planning to observe the death anniversary.

“When the organisers were approached, they assured the police that they would not enter the Red Zone and neither create any security issue in the capital,” he added.

They would gather at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi before moving towards the grave of Mumtaz Qadri in the rural area of the capital, he added.

As both the events are of different natures, different security measures are required for them, he stated, adding safety measures to avert any misshape were required for the ECO summit.

Another officer said the capital police had demanded 5,000 personnel from Punjab and Azad Kashmir for the security measures during the summit. “So far only 1,500 personnel have arrived in the city.”

The Red Zone will be put on a red alert where VVIPs and the delegates would be staying, he said.

Public holiday in twin cities

Offices and educational institutes in Islamabad and Rawalpindi will close at 1pm on Tuesday. There will be a public holiday on Wednesday.

In this regard, a notification was also issued from the office of the deputy commissioner Islamabad.

Police and Rangers would be deployed in and around the Red Zone and the venue of the summit. Besides, a number of pickets have been set up in the city to keep an eye on suspicious elements and people.

Kashmir Highway from Zero Point to Serena Hotel will be closed from February 28 afternoon to March 1 midnight.

A spokesman for the interior ministry, when contacted, said there was no threat from those who would observe the death anniversary of Mumtaz Qadri, adding they had no reason to enter Islamabad. No road in Islamabad will be blocked except Kashmir Highway, he added.

Similarly, the Rawalpindi district administration has announced public holiday in the city on March 1 and half working day on Feb 28 for government offices and educational institutions as part of security measures for the summit.

Deputy Commissioner Talat Mehmood Gondal on Monday issued a notification in this regard asking the public and private sector schools and colleges to inform the parents and students in advance.

He also appealed to the people to avoid unnecessary travel from Rawalpindi to Islamabad and also not use Airport Road and Islamabad Expressway.

Peshawar Road can be used for travel between Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2017