LAHORE – The Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Isteqam-e-Pakistan Convention, scheduled to be held at Qaddafi Stadium on Sunday, was shifted to the Football Stadium at the 11th hour due to security concerns, traffic problems and traders’ protest against closure of their shops and food outlets along the outer wall of the stadium.
Security has been kept as the highest priority as the MQM gets ready for its biggest showdown in Lahore. The Punjab government, showing deep concern over the safety measures for the convention at Qaddafi Stadium, had requested the MQM to shift the public meeting to a relatively safer place.
Another issue that led to the change in venue was the protest by traders at Qaddafi Stadium after they were served with notice ordering them to keep their businesses closed for two days owing to the public meeting. Prior to the change in venue, the convention was originally planned to be held on Main Qaddafi Stadium Road near Ferozepur Road but was shifted after the district government had a successful meeting with MQM representatives on Saturday.
The stage was constructed on Friday night, which was dismantled after consensuses between the city administration and MQM members. The meeting to alter the location of the convention was attended by Lahore District Coordination Officer (DCO) Ahad Cheema and the DIG Operations while the MQM’s delegation consisted of former Karachi nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal and Moeen Khan.
In the meeting, it was decided that the convention should be relocated to the Football Stadium across the same street where it had to be held earlier. Owners of shops located along the outer wall of the Qaddafi Stadium protested against the notice issued by the district government to close shops and restaurants for two days. After receiving notice on late Friday, the traders protested by blocking Qaddafi Stadium Road and burning tyers.
After the protest, the DCO had a meeting with the Qaddafi Stadium Trader Association office-bears. Later, the traders were allowed to open their shops on both days. Security has been beefed up in Qaddafi Stadium Area. Policemen have been deployed at all main entrances and exits of the Football Stadium and Qaddafi Stadium Road Area. Check points have been installed to make foolproof security arrangements. Around 1,000 policemen and MQM members have been deployed to secure the place.
Caravans of MQM workers have started reaching Qaddafi Stadium from suburbs of Lahore and Punjab. Buses were seen clogging Main Ferozepur Road and Qaddafi Stadium Road. Ferozepur Road is presently dysfunctional due to construction of the Kalma Chowk flyover. Diversions have been placed on the road to pass the traffic from Qaddafi Stadium Road to Liberty Roundabout and Centre Point.
