LAHORE – Roads and famous spots of the capital city of the country’s biggest province Punjab have been illuminated on the visit of Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Erdogan, who addressed a joint session of parliament during his two-day visit to Pakistan, arrived in Lahore on Thursday.
Erdogan arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday accompanied by a high-level entourage, including Turkish ministers and senior officials as well as a large business delegation.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other ministers received the Turkish president at the Lahore airport.
Lahore wears festive look ahead of President Erdogan’s visit to the city ….
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) November 17, 2016
The Turkish delegates were taken to the Lahore Fort via Mall Road.
The Turkish leader is scheduled to attend the inaugural ceremony of Greater Iqbal Park as a chief guest.
Later on, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif will host a banquet in the honor of visiting Turkish President at Hazoori Bagh in front of Badshahi Masjid. Erdogan will also attend a cultural programme at Shahi Fort, arranged by Lahore Walled City chairperson Kamran Lashari.
For the guests, about 100 rooms, including a presidential suite, have been booked at a five-star hotel in case they decide to stay. According to the schedule, the guests will be served dinner at 9pm.
Strict security
Foolproof security arrangements have been made to ensure foolproof security on the president’s visit to.
More than 5,000 policemen have been deployed in the city for the security of the visitors with personnel of Dolphin Squad, Flying Squad and Elite Police also deputed at sensitive spots.
According to the plan, The Mall will remain closed for ordinary traffic from Airport to Azadi Chowk from 3 pm to 10 pm.
Traffic diversions
The traffic police have also made a comprehensive traffic diversion plan to ensure smooth flow of traffic during the Turkish president’s visit. Vehicular traffic on roads adjoining the Lahore Fort would be diverted to other arteries.
As per plan, Aziz Bhatti Road/Mall Road, Lower Mall Road from Punjab Civil Secretariat to Lahore Fort, Circular Road, road from Lahore Railway Station to Greater Iqbal Park will remain closed for traffic. Greater Iqbal Park, Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore Fort, and Hazuri Bagh would also remain closed for general public.
Similarly, traffic coming to Lahore from Ravi Road would be diverted to Ring Road. Vehicles aspiring to go out of city from Lorry Adda and Vegetable Market can use Ring Road.
Roads leading from Shimal Hill and Railway Station to Greater Iqbal Park will remain closed and would be diverted to GT Road through Garhi Shahu. Vehicles can have access to the Inner Circular Road from Ik Moria through Misri Shah.
Outfall Road will also remain closed for traffic coming from Saggian Ravi Bridge. No traffic would be allowed towards Lower Mall from Veterinary University and DIG Operations office.
