KARACHI, Dec 30: Skilled commandos have been deployed around highly sensitive places like consulates, offices of high commissions, residences of foreign dignitaries, offices of multinational companies and certain key installations to meet any eventuality on the eve of the new year.

The city government and police have also made elaborated arrangements to ensure maintenance the law and order.

Heavy contingents of police and other law-enforcement agencies will be deployed along the beach and other sensitive areas for the purpose.

Police have been directed to intensify patrolling using mobile vans and motorcycles. The Sea View beach will be patrolled also by police horse-riders to meet any eventuality.

Police officials have made it clear that the restaurants and eating houses near Boating Basin will be asked to close their business after sunset on Tuesday to avoid any nuisance being caused to the ordinary people. They were of the view that revellers’ crowds usually throng such spots and hinder the flow of traffic.

The government has also imposed a strict ban on carrying and display of firearms, aerial shooting and crackers. Those found involved in such activity would be booked under the relevant laws, police warned.

The police officials said that traffic police would be deployed in Clifton and Defence areas to ensure a smooth flow of vehicular traffic. Abdullah Haroon Road, linking Clifton Road and Awan-i-Iqbal, would be converted into one-way traffic after 7pm on Tuesday as announced earlier by the traffic police.

Similarly, the road along the Abdullah Shah Ghazi shrine would also become one-way for commuters after 7pm Tuesday. The traffic moving toward downtown would be diverted to other outlets, including Khayaban-i-Shamsher.

The police will remain on a high alert on the occasion and conduct snap-checking of vehicles throughout the city.

The police sources stated that security around the foreign-based restaurants and other installations in the city had been beefed up. Deployment at public places and crowded spots would also be increased to meet any eventuality.

A senior police official said: “We are prepared and will take every possible step to maintain law and order.”

Security has also been increased at the airport, railway stations, entry/exit points of the city and other such places.

Leaves of all the police officials have been cancelled and they have been asked to be available for duty at all costs.