LAHORE – A series of bomb blasts and terrorist attacks in Lahore over the past few years have left permanent marks on the city, as physical features of all important buildings and educational institutions have changed completely owing to security measures, Pakistan Today has learnt. The city, known as the country’s cultural capital, now seemed familiar with terrorist attacks and bomb blasts. The physical appearance of important buildings and educational institutions still shows a distorted image, as security has been beefed up by extending walls, installing barbed wires, constructing firing positions and placing concrete block in front of vital buildings, changing the city’s outlook completely.
It all started from the bomb blast at the GPO chowk in January 2008. The blast had shaken up the city badly, as the GPO chowk is situated on the Mall Road, which is a hub for important government offices and other buildings. As a result, all buildings on the Mall Road upgraded their security. Buildings including the Lahore High Court (LHC) and the GPO enhanced their security by erecting barbed wires, installing metal detectors and police check points.
The second high profile bomb blast occurred again on the Mall Road targeting the Naval War College situated in GOR in March 2008. As a result, GOR was sealed completely with thick brick walls, security check points and barriers. Another blast targeted the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Building in March 2008 on the Hameed Nizami Road near the Regal Chowk. As a result, all law enforcing and intelligence agencies beefed up their security and firing positions were constructed at the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Office and the FIA Building to protect these important buildings. The terrorist attack on the Manawan Police Training Centre in March 2009 forced law enforcement agencies to beef up security of the centre, which trains police officials.
The terrorist attack on a famous five-star hotel in September 2008 in Islamabad shook the country’s hotel industry. The event compelled all major hotel administrations to increase their security and all posh hotels in Lahore were barricaded with tall walls and security was beefed up including installing car stoppers at the main entrances of the hotels. The bomb blast at the International Islamic University, Islamabad in October 2009 forced all educational institutions to remain closed for a week and wall extensions, barbed wires, security checks became hallmarks of all educational institutions. Shooting positions were also created at all educational institutions for providing top-notch security.
The bomb blasts at the RA Bazaar in Cantt and Moon Market in Allama Iqbal Town in March 2010, both of which happened on the same day, forced Lahoris to go no where. As a result of the bomb blasts, all main markets and business centres underwent security enhancements and car parking of the Liberty Market was shifted outside to ensure foolproof security. The suicide bombing at the Data Darbar in July 2010 completely shook the nation owing to which security was beefed up at all important mosques, imambargas, shrines and churches.
Due to these terrorist attacks, important offices, buildings, educational institutions, shopping areas and even worship places underwent facial reconstruction keeping security purposes in mind. Lahore, known as the heart of the country, is now giving a frightened look, which was given to it in the last 3-4 years. University of Health Sciences Vice Chancellor Dr Malik Hussain Mubbashar, also a psychiatrist, said that deploying security guards and firing positions give a sense of protection to a country like Pakistan. “Measures such as extended walls and elevated firing positions gives a sense of security to the human mind”, he said.
Renowned architect Ghanzanfar Ali compared the city’s present situation to Tehran before the 1979 Iranian Revolution. “Tehran gave a fortified look when Iranian Emperor Raza Shah Pahlvi had let the US to intervene in Iran’s affairs”, Ali said. He said that houses, schools and offices resemble fortresses owing to greater security threats. Ali blamed political economics and growing population indirectly responsible for growing security changes in the country. The architect said that more individuals with no education, no jobs and no future are more likely to carry out suicide bombings. While quoting example of China, he said that something has to be done about the ever-growing population. While talking about schools and education institutions Ali said, “Fear hinders development”.
Students Yasir Ikram Tarar, who has returned from the UK after completing his bachelors, said that the city has changed palpably. “Everything seems like covered and protected”, Yasir said. He said that the city’s look and all buildings are completely altered.
Due to terrorist attacks, important offices, buildings, educational institutions, shopping areas and worship places underwent facial reconstruction for security purposes. Lahore, known as the heart of the country, is now giving a frightened look
Walled off by terror – Lahore – a fortress?
