- Strict security arrangements made for several thousands of participants gathered at Bagh-e-jinnah for PPP co chief’s first public address
After thorough screening through modern gadgets and sniffer dogs, the participants were allowed to enter the venue for Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s first public address at Bagh-e-Jinnah in the city on Saturday.
Witnessed to be reaching the site in large numbers from different parts of the country, ardent supporters of Bhuttos did not mind braving heat and extraordinary security measures as they were keen to see and listen to their young leader.
The party organisers of the meeting, believed to be also the formal launching of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s active political career, in close coordination with the provincial government authorities have made elaborate arrangements to facilitate the people with due consideration for their security and also to pre-empt any possible chaos or confusion.
For the purpose, 12 multimedia screens and over a thousand speakers have been installed so that people may not face any difficulty in viewing the proceedings or in any way may be unable to see or hear the young Bhutto.
Keeping in view the sizzling heat arrangements are also in place for drinking water manned by PPP volunteers.
To ensure security for the leaders as well as their supporters attending the meeting more than 300 close circuit cameras have been installed while a 22,500 strong contingent comprising well equipped cops including police commandos have been deputed across the 35-acre ground.
Moreover, all high rise building in the vicinity are being manned by armed security personnel, while entry into the ground itself is being made through not less than five walk-through gates, that also once the participants must have gone through body search.
“This is but unavoidable as keeping in view the internal threat posed by extremists compels us to ensure protection of precious human lives,” said a senior PPP leader and advisor to the Sindh Chief Minister Waqar Mehdi.
All outer security was said to have been given to police and rangers while participants were seen covering a two kilometre distance on foot to reach the ground from the designated parking lots at Kashmir Road.
A senior member of Peoples of Doctors Forum said trained party volunteers along with forum’s members have also made special first-aid arrangements, including provision for ambulances, to meet any mishap, since weather is also humid and quite sizzling and in the given situation massive turnout of people, including that of children and women, makes it necessary to take care of any untoward incident.