RAWALPINDI, Feb 15: The federal government is reported to have warned the police chiefs of the provinces and Islamabad to step up security around the diplomatic missions of some Arab countries in Pakistan and also for PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif following intelligence report that suicide bombers may strike ‘within next 72 hours’ to sabotage the Feb 18 elections.

Sources said that high-level talks were being held to review plans for the protection of sensitive installations and important political figures.

A letter to the provincial police chiefs and the IGP Islamabad says that terrorists are planning suicide attacks on public rallies in various cities.

The sources said that another letter sent to the Punjab and the NWFP governments by the federal government informed them that four suicide bombers were planning simultaneous attacks somewhere in the country.

The federal government has also indicated threats of attacks on some Arab diplomatic missions and directed the security agencies to take extra security measures.

The Arab missions have been identified as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.