Dr Farooq’s funeral arrangements made

In view of security concerns, the MQM did not disclose its plan about transporting the body of the slain leader from the Karachi airport to the Jinnah Ground, where the funeral prayer will be held on Saturday.

An MQM statement said that the funeral prayer of the slain leader would be offered at the Jinnah Ground after Zuhar prayer and he would be buried in the Shuhada graveyard in Yasinabad.

It said that all arrangements regarding traffic control, guidance to participants and cleanliness arrangements on the route of the funeral procession, etc, had been completed.

It said arrangements to ensure maximum security had also been finalised and hundreds of workers of the MQM would assist the local administration in this regard.

Malik visits Jinnah Ground

Interior Minister Rehman Malik visited the Jinnah Ground on Friday to review the overall security arrangements.

According to an MQM press release, the interior minister arrived at the Jinnah Ground, Azizabad, in a helicopter. He was received by members of the MQM coordination committee, including Anis Kaimkhani and Dr Saghir Ahmed, who briefed him on the security arrangements.

Mr Malik and the coordination committee members took a round of the venue and directed the authorities to take all-out measures for the security of the Jinnah Ground and adjacent localities.

Later, he visited the ‘Yadgar-i-Shuhada’, a monument in the Jinnah Ground.

Meanwhile, the interior minister also called on Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan at the Governor’s House on Friday and discussed security arrangements for Dr Farooq’s funeral.

According a press release, the minister briefed the governor on the security steps taken by the law-enforcement agencies, the law and order situation as well as relations between the Pakistan People’s Party and the MQM.

They expressed their determination to take action against criminal elements, particularly the land and drug mafia and those involved in the business of illegal weapons.

Complete ban on arms

The Sindh government has placed a ban on carrying all kinds of weapons in the province for the next 48 hours beginning on Friday midnight.

A notification issued here in this regard stated that the government of Sindh had suspended all permission letters for carrying weapons issued in relaxation of a ban under Section 144 of the criminal procedure code for 48 hours beginning on Friday midnight and “there will be a complete ban on carrying all kinds of weapons”.

Traffic routes announced

The capital city traffic police announced on Friday alternative routes for vehicular traffic on Saturday for the funeral of Dr Farooq.

According to the traffic plan, the road users from Liaquatabad to Sohrab Goth should proceed via Nazimabad No 4, Board Office, Five-Star Chowrangi, Nagan Chowrangi and onward, and turn right from Liaquatabad No 10 towards Civic Centre to reach their destinations.

The road users from Sohrab Goth to Ayesha Manzil and Liaquatabad No 10 have been asked to proceed via Sohrab Goth, left turn on the overhead bridge towards Nagan Chowrangi, Sher Shah Soori Road and left turn onto the Shah Waliullah Road, to Fazal Mill, Gulshan-i-Iqbal to reach their destinations.

It said the drivers had been asked to choose their destinations by adopting alternative routes to avoid inconvenience.

(source:dawn.com)