'No one is safe’: Pakistan

LAHORE: Severe panic gripped the city after news of the suicide blast at Jamia Naeemia in Garhi Shahu spread like wildfire. All the shops on Allama Iqbal Road, where Jamia Naeemia is located, were shut down. Businesses on adjacent roads were also closed. Police and Rangers cordoned off the area, and blocked the roads. Still, a large number of people gathered at the site. All roads leading to Garhi Shahu were choked with traffic, which remained blocked for a few hours after the blast. Some people spread the rumour among those gathered outside the Jamia that there had also been a blast in Defence. Some journalists responded to the rumour and left the site. However, it was soon confirmed that no such incident had taken place. Panic also spread as far as Hall Road, where there were reports of two motorcycles with identical number plates. Police also reached Hall Road, and blocked it. The Qila Gujjar Singh Police called the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) to check the two motorcycles for explosives. The BDS cleared the motorcycles, after which they were shifted to the police station. Javed Akhtar, a student, told Daily Times memories of the May 27 attack on Rescue 15 were still fresh. He said now a madrassa had also been attacked. “No one is safe,” he said. He said terrorists could target anyone in the city, and he did not feel safe even at his college or the mosque. Muhammad Yasin, a labourer, said Lahore was no longer safe. He said he had called home soon after the blast to tell his children he was safe. Asim Ali, a shopkeeper on Hall Road, said he had never felt so unsafe. He said traders on Hall Road had received threats of attacks if they kept selling CDs, and said there was a great likelihood of terrorist activities. rana tanveer