Shrines in Pak Punjab province at risk of terror attacks in absence of security measures

LAHORE - Out of a total of 319 shrines across the Pakistani province of Punjab, only 58 have security arrangements, and that too, inadequate, a survey report prepared by an intelligence agency has revealed.he survey officials found out that the security provided at those 58 shrines in the province was not satisfactory, the Daily Times reported.

The remaining 261 shrines had no security at all, and were at an open risk of terrorist attacks, they discovered.

According to the report, 22 shrines are situated in Lahore region, 15 in Gujranwala, 22 in Sheikhupura, 85 in Rawalpindi, 25 in Multan, 30 in Bahawalpur, 33 in Sargodha, while 21 shrines are located in Dera Ghazi Khan region.

Earlier, the Punjab Home Department had directed a provincial intelligence agency to conduct a secret survey of all shrines in the province after a series of attacks on religious places in Lahore and Karachi.

Through a circular, the home department has directed the Inspector General of Punjab Police, all divisional commissioners, regional police officers, city police officers and district police officers to personally visit shrines and ensure preventive measures to foil the nefarious designs of terrorists.

Sources revealed that the purpose of this exercise was to prepare a strategy and ensure foolproof arrangements at shrines to avert any untoward incident in future. (ANI)