KARACHI: A ‘terror threat’ led to an abrupt closure of the mausoleum of the Quaid-i-Azam for an indefinite period on Thursday and roads around the Mazar were also blocked while authorities said that ‘precise’ information forced them to take the action.

Heavy contingents of the police cordoned off the mausoleum and they evacuated the visitors from the premises. The traffic on roads around the Mazar was diverted to alternative routes.

The vehicles parked inside and outside the mausoleum were removed along with all the roadside stalls set up at entrance and exit gates.

DIG (east) Munir Sheikh said the police moved on a credible intelligence report, which indicated that the mausoleum was under serious terror threat.

“The police are primarily looking after the mausoleum’s security,” he added.

“However, the Rangers are also there for support and maintaining security arrangements with the police. The visitors are not allowed for the time being and in line with the same arrangements we have also diverted traffic around the mausoleum.”

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2014