Daily Times

LAHORE: In the wake of recent militant attack across the country, the authorities concerned have finalised a plan to buy extra walkthrough gates for the security of the Punjab Assembly building. Security around the provincial assembly’s building as well as the MPAs’ Hostel has been tightened and the security staff of the PA has closed all entrance points except the main gate near the Victoria Park site. According to sources, the Punjab Assembly has received several threats from different outfit organisations and a suicide attack earlier at Charing Cross on Mall Road has rung alarmed bells. As per the parliamentary calendar, Punjab Assembly’s next session is scheduled to start from February 27 that will be continued till March 9 in which Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other high profile local, national and international figures are expected to join or observing the proceedings. In this connection, the authorities concerned with the consultancy of the Punjab Assembly Security Branch, have allocated a sufficient amount to purchase walkthrough gates. Pertinent to mention here is that walkthrough gates of different categories and sensor are available in the country at the rate of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1.4 million with one year warranty. However, according to security experts, walkthrough gates can only detect explosive devices and detonators prepared or manufactured with hard metal but usually failed to perceive fully the quick tempered explosives in powder shape.