After years of instability, despite the occasional acts of violence that continue to send shockwaves across the country, Pakistan is being seen as a relatively safe country. For the security forces, the fight to control the menace of terrorism is an ongoing battle.

Given such an environment, does the main focus of the country’s security apparatus remain on ensuring the security of only the VIPs and/ or the powerful and influential or does it take into equal consideration the well-being and security of ordinary people? Peace and harmony in a society can only be ensured by promoting plurality and protecting diversity of arts and culture. There is a need, therefore, to understand the need to counter extremism.

Exercising their right to freedom of expression is a way for the common people to vent their grievances and express their feelings. It’s a hallmark of a democratic society. Public festivals are important in that they provide the people platforms to express themselves and free the society from the clutches of extremism and radicalism.

Apart from serving a consciously responsible purpose, the festivals also offer people an opportunity to socialise and to have a little fun. It becomes all the more necessary for the law enforcing agencies, including the police to ensure safety and security at such events.

Operations DIG Kamran Adil says that responsibilities regarding the provision of security are viewed equally important by his force irrespective of whether the assignment is for the VIPs or for ordinary public. Speaking to The News on Sunday, Adil says that the police are well aware of their responsibility. He says some of the popular festivals attract huge crowds. Ensuring fool-proof security for these falls to his force.

The DIG says that ahead of any government function or a public festival or gathering, preparatory meetings are held to review and determine what steps should be taken to ensure security. At public events such as festivals, security preparations are essential for several distinct reasons, he adds. “Often, we have to take into consideration intelligence reports to precisely evaluate the threats, if any,” he says. He says that the police remain in constant contact with the organisers of festivals to thwart any untoward incident.

The DIG says that maintaining the integrity of the site, its boundaries and the area within it and ensuring the safe flow of traffic (human/ vehicular) within the site are prominent features of a security plan. Besides allowing safe and controlled entry and exit points to the event, he says protecting areas of and adjacent to the site that are off-limits are also key characteristics of the security arrangements.

“If we feel that the organisers may not adhere to the assurances they give to the administration before any public festival or event, we request the district administration to cancel the permission in public interest,” says the DIG.

Zulfikar Ali Zulfi, executive director of the Alhamra Arts Council, says the council has an important role in arranging events like the Lahore Literature Festival and the Faiz Mela. “We, with the help of the local administration and police, ensure appropriate security arrangements for the participants.”

Zulfi says ensuring the security of the participants and organisers of festivals and public gatherings is generally not a challenge if the events are held within the premises of the Arts Council. He says they have their own security staff and ask police for support when they see the need for it.

“We have recently launched a project called Alhamra on Wheels. Under this project, we arrange cultural shows at people’s doorsteps,” he says. For this, he says, they have to approach the local police for security. “I don’t recall having faced any problems in this regard,” he says. The police and the city administration have cooperated with them, he concludes.

The writer is a senior journalist and can be reached at ahsanzia155@gmail.com