LAHORE: The Punjab government on Wednesday watched the opposition’s public meeting on The Mall from two perspectives – reacting in case of any agitation or act of sabotage and assessing political strength of its opponents.

The opposition rally was monitored electronically as well as manually. The officials at the headquarters of the Safe City Project continued to watch the venue, mood and the number of the participants and the opposition leaders through the network of cameras on The Mall and other city roads.

The wireless sets of police in uniform and plainclothes were another source of gathering real-time information about the proceedings of the rally. This was in addition to the media coverage that was watched constantly.

A control room in the home department was the recipient of all the information from the Safe City Project hub and from police, assessing what to do in case of any emergency situation.

As many 6,000 policemen, both in uniform and plainclothes, threw a security ring in and around the venue of the public meeting.

Officials claimed they provided security to the participants and did not block their entry to the venue.

They said the opposition had refused to accept any official assistance regarding the security of the leaders or the participants. Security containers to be placed at strategic places to block any miscreants were also disallowed by the rally’s management, they added.

The opposition also refused a bullet proof rostrum which was sent to protect the leaders on the stage against any act of terrorism.

But, a senior official said, the government agencies continued to provide security to the leaders as well as participants to avoid any blame in case of an untoward incident.

Official sources said the authorities, including the political leadership in Punjab, were worried about police response to any provocation. That was why police were not allowed to carry guns, and had been asked to observe restraint under any circumstances.

The political leadership, besides ensuring peace at the public meeting, was also interested in knowing how many people attended it.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2018