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August 12, 2007  
Terror, Political Uncertainty
Ahead of Pakistan's I-Day

Lahore
Political uncertainty and fear of terror attacks to avenge the military assault on the Lal Masjid are casting a shadow over Pakistan as it prepares to celebrate six decades of its nationhood Tuesday.

Media reports Sunday speak of tight security arrangements made for the Aug 14 celebration.

Lahore's Superintendent of Police (Security) has ordered deployment of policemen to ensure that "hooliganism, eve teasing and (driving) bikes without silencers" do not inconvenience people.

Youths traditionally remove silencers from their motorcycles on Independence Day.

A police official remarked that local thugs were the least of their problem, adding they were more worried about terrorists, the Daily Times reported.

Policemen in plainclothes have already been deployed around volatile spots and each police team would have its own explosives experts.

Law enforcement agencies, bomb disposal squad and city police have been given security plans for the I-Day. Recreational parks, shrines, airports, railway stations, residences of foreign dignitaries and shopping malls are under high observation.

As for national ceremonials, an address by President Pervez Musharraf or a parade have not been announced so far.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has urged people to observe the I-Day "in a simple manner".

SCBA office bearers reminded people of the "loss of lives" in the July storming of Islamabad's Lal Masjid and during the violence in Karachi in May. The two events claimed nearly 150 lives.
 

IANS | August 12, 2007

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