KARACHI-  The Pakistan People’s Party will demonstrate its political strength today at Mazar-e-Quaid in a public meeting to be addressed by party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.  .
According to Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), security arrangements have been given final shape for the public meeting in the face of high threat level as over 30,000 policemen have been deployed to ensure security and safety of people.
As a precautionary measure, parking for vehicles has been set up at the distance of 2 kilometres from the public meeting venue and at least four central passages have been carved out for entry into the public meeting ground. Police officer equal to the rank of DIG will be incharge of every entry point.
Screening of public meeting venue and localities around it has been conducted several days before and ban has been imposed on flying drone cameras in the public meeting under security plan. At least 100 police mobiles equipped with cameras held by Sindh police are also being linked to security van through wireless.
Local administration has completed the security plans for the PPP political power show at Jinnah Ground near Mazar-e-Quaid. The arrangements for the public gathering have been given final touches.
Home Secretary Dr. Niaz Abbasi said that jammers would be placed around the rally venue whereas fool proof security arrangements have been taken for the PPP leaders. The security plans have been divided in three stages. Thousands of police officers will be deployed whereas Bomb Disposal Squad and sniffer dogs will also be used to boost security. The fire brigade staff will also be on duty till the rally comes to a curtain call. Three thousand PPP workers will also be on duty to provide security on the public gathering today.
All routes leading to the rally venue have been closed and the people will be forced to take alternative routes for reaching their respective destinations. A survey of the residents living near the rally venue was also taken for security measures.
It should be noted that the Sindh government issued a letter earlier stating that PPP chairman Bilawal Zardari is facing terror threats whereas the party chairman had denied that he had received any such threat
Meanwhile, the Sindh government announced public holiday throughout the province on Saturday (today) in wake of ‘Urs’ death anniversary of Abdullah Shah Ghazi (R.A).
Similarly, the Sindh government approved a request of the police calling for the suspension of mobile phone services in Karachi in connection with the PPP’s public meeting.
The provincial police requested the suspension of mobile phone services in other parts of Sindh as well. However, no approval has come from the provincial government in this regard.
Karachi's traffic system is also likely to suffer serious issues when the PPP stages the rally for which it has hired 3,000 city buses while police authorities have banned movement of heavy vehicles that day, 'advising' transporters to take alternative routes.
The PPP's plan to reinvigorate the party through the rally is being seen as a major response to a series of public gatherings and sit-ins by the PTI, which recently staged a successful political show in Karachi, as well as those held by the PAT.
The ruling party in Sindh expects the rally under its young chairman Bilawal to mobilise its workers in Karachi and other parts of the province.
Meanwhile, Bilawal said that Hosh Muhammad Sheedi has set the example of sacrificing his life for the defence of the homeland and he was fully determined to struggle for the people of the country. He expressed these remarks while laying floral wreaths and offering Fateha at the grave of Hosh Muhammad Sheedi at village Budho Sial of Deh Narejani of Taluka Hyderabad Rural.
Replying to a question, he termed Karachi the diamond of Kohnoor adding that the city is providing major chunk of revenue to the country. Karachi has the great importance for the country and the PPP governments always made efforts for the development of this important city, he added.
Among others, Sindh Minister for Information and Local Government Sharjeel Inam Memon, Senator Moula Bakhsh Chandio, Sindh Minister Jam Khan Shoro, MPA Dr. Sikandar Shoro, party leaders Zahid Bhurgari, Pir Amjad Shah Jilani, Commissioner Hyderabad Division Asif Haider Shah and DIG Hyderabad Sanaullah Abbasi were also present on the occasion.