Following the brazen suicide attack in the capital Islamabad, security was placed on high alert in metropolises and at key installations across the country Friday.

Karachi

Karachi police chief Javed Alam Odho ordered increased deployment of police and personnel in plainclothes, particularly at places of worship for Friday prayers. Special instructions were issued for parking protocols, with vehicles parked at a safe distance.

The public has been asked to report any suspicious activity or suspicious individuals, abandoned vehicles, bags, parcels, etc., to the 15 helpline or the nearest mobile police station. The additional inspector general (AIG) of Sindh police warned of legal and departmental action in case of neglingence regarding the implementation of security measures in the city.

Lahore

Punjab Inspector General (IG) Aamir Zulfiqar Khan directed to tighten security arrangements at sensitive and public places in all districts including the provincial capital Lahore and to pay special attention to field officers of all districts.

He instructed regional police officers (RPOs) and district police officers (DPOs) to increase the security at important installations, places of worship, hospitals and parks and other sensitive places.

The orders include to speed up search, sweep and combing operations in all districts, while making the checking process at inter-provincial and inter-district check posts more effective. Meanwhile, the special branch and the CTD has been directed to increase intelligence-based operations.

Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi police chief Shehzad Bukhari said that all officers / units were engaged in active patrolling, picketing & snap-checking.

“Combing operations underway, additional pickets placed and entry/exits are thoroughly being monitored. Stringent measures are being ensured for citizens’ safety,” he wrote on Twitter.