PESHAWAR: The provincial capital was literally sealed due to terror threats on Wednesday, with the authorities checking every vehicle entering the urban areas and low flights of military helicopters in the city limits further scaring Peshawarites.
A mysterious loud explosion was heard in the morning in Phandu Road area after which the entire city police and rescuers rushed to the spot. However, nobody could confirm any blast.
With announcing closure of all the government and private educational institutions in Peshawar and neighbouring towns last month to avoid terror incidents, the University of Peshawar, NWFP Engineering University, Khyber Medical University and NWFP Agriculture University have also been closed for summer vacation well before schedule for security reasons.
Offices and shops in the Deans Plaza, the gigantic building hosting several hundred outlets, were closed after bombing threat on Tuesday and also remained closed on Wednesday. People avoided bringing cars on roads and preferred to take a cab after nobody was allowed to park car at the roadside in Saddar.
NWFP Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour Wednesday visited Qissa Khwani and other adjoining areas to boost morale of the public struck by the wave of violence in the recent past. “I am here in public to boost up their morale. I strongly believe that the day I am supposed to be in grave, I cannot spend at home,” opined the ANP leader, who escaped two suicide attacks.
Once known as the city of flowers, Peshawar is being considered “the line of fire” after initiation of military operation in Swat, tribal areas and settled districts of the NWFP. The prevailing situation reminds of the song of popular Pashto singer Gulzar Alam: ‘Ma darta tol umar da guloono khar wayalay day.... Kala mi perzo shey pa bamoono Pekhawara’ (I have always called you the city of flowers, how can I see you being bombed now).
Not only Geo Television frequently telecast the song but it could also be heard while travelling in public transport as well as in private cars and at public spots. Another song, ‘Pa Pekhawar ke parhar ma jorawa’, is also gaining popularity, which also signifies love for the capital city. So many other national songs are also getting popular with people.
Though Peshawar has been facing violence since long, the situation is alarming since May 11. Terrorists have struck for seven times in the city since the military operation was launched in Swat, resulting in the killing of around 50 people and injuring over 300 others.
The security arrangements, especially the unnecessary imposition of Section 144 of the CrPC, have multiplying sufferings of the motorists and other people. Nevertheless, the government and its law-enforcement agencies are struggling against the powerful gangs of kidnappers, as the menace became order of the day, licensed pistols are not being allowed to the public for their personal security.
“I have never carried a pistol and I will never do so if the government promises me that I will not be kidnapped,” remarked Javed Khan, who suffered for long at the barricade in front of PIA building for having a licensed pistol. He added that the Section 144 should prohibit brandishing of weapons but the policemen even pulled out his pistol from the dashboard of the car.
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