Pak Punjab province cancels all outdoor activities on August 14 over security concerns

Lahore, Aug. 10 (ANI): Pakistan's Punjab province has cancelled all outdoor activities planned for celebrating Independence Day in view of terror threats, officials said. The officials said that the Quetta incident that took place this Monday killing over 70 people had necessitated the need to be more careful about the August 14, the independence day of Pakistan, reports the Dawn. With Punjab all set celebrate the forthcoming independence day, like every year, residents are filled with fervor decorating their vehicles and homes with national flags, buntings and stickers related to the day. Reports suggest that banners, flexes, hoardings and national flags are being fixed on roads across the province under instructions from the provincial government. All officials are being made to wear national flag lapel pins as well. Meanwhile, officials said the cabinet committee on law and order, headed by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif's Adviser Rana Maqbool Ahmad, inspector general of police (IGP) and representatives of security agencies had rejected divisional and district intelligence committees' security plans for outdoor August 14, activities across the province. The committee had instructed that only indoor functions should be held and that the local committees should make security plans for the indoor activities approved by the government. Official flag-hoisting ceremonies at the divisional and district levels reportedly will strictly be an indoor affair. Reports suggest that the provincial level flag-hoisting ceremony, performed by the chief minister or the governor, at Huzoori Bagh would probably be cancelled and held indoors. Officials added that there would be no processions on August 14 and people would not be allowed to take to the roads or gather at public place. Even political personages, high civil officials and the judiciary have been asked to avoid unguarded public appearance. (ANI)