RAWALPINDI: In the wake of the two terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday, the district administration and police have suggested Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leadership to postpone its rally scheduled to be held in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

But the police have also chalked out a security plan to maintain peace during the rally, and put the security in the city on a high alert. Extra police personnel from Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal have also been called.

“Yes, the police have suggested the PAT leadership to postpone the rally in the wake of the two terrorist attacks in KP on Friday,” said Regional Police Officer (RPO) Mohammad Wisal Fakhar Sultan Raja.

He said the PAT local leadership was informed about the security situation and intelligence reports regarding terrorist threats but they have not responded so far.

However, the police are making foolproof security measures to ensure peace in the city and asked the PAT volunteers not to allow any person to enter the rally without security checking.

The bomb disposal squad will carry out a checking of the venue of the rally with explosive and metal detectors.

Murree Road, from Mareer Chowk to Faizabad, will be blocked for traffic as all of its arteries (link roads) will be sealed with containers and tents.

“Murree Road will be blocked for vehicular traffic from Mareer Chowk to Faizabad as only one exit and entry will be allowed for the participants of the rally,” a senior police official said, adding the link roads – Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk, Naz Cinema, Asghar Mall, Chandni Chowk - would be sealed.

Traffic will be diverted to alternative routes where extra traffic wardens will be deployed to ensure smooth flow of traffic. The city traffic police have asked the citizens to use the alternative routes to avoid inconvenience and call the traffic police helpline before leaving for the city areas.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2016