Being escorted in a convoy of women journalists in Lahore
by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
“This is my life. It is my one time to be me. I want to experience every good thing” ~ Maya Angelou- Poet, dancer,film producer, television producer, playwright, author and actress. (b: 1928-)
“City of Lahore is currently on alert. You are our honourable guests. We have to protect the foreigners, especially women” said one of the Elite Punjab Police Officers, while giving escort to the convoy of visiting South Asian women journalists.
They escorted us from the Allama Iqbal International Airport to Sunfort Hotel when we reached Lahore. They continued to escort us to Hotel Avari, Pearl Continental Hotel, Chief Minister of Punjab’s official residence, Governor’s official residence, and Peeru’s Café which is situated little away from the city. The Elite Punjab Police escort was provided upto the airport till we departed.
The Elite Force officers have provided maximum protection to all of us during our stay in Lahore from October 8th 2009 to October 13th 2009. Nearly 200 women journalists from South Asian countries participated in the first Regional Conference of South Asian Women in Media (SAWM).
The Elite Police Officers were seen outside the Sunfort hotel where the delegates from eight South Asian countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) stayed. They were put on duty on each floor of Sunfort Hotel, which is situated in the central.
I sat in the front seat of the first vehicle in order to capture the moments, while being on the move in a convoy day and night. It was a different experience as a foreigner in Pakistan.
A wave of recent attacks rocked Pakistan in October 2009.
A suicide car bomb in the northwestern city of Peshawar killed 53 people on October 9th 2009.Pakistan Army Headquarters was attacked on October 10th 2009 in city of Rawalpindi, 14 others and 9 militants were killed in this attack.
A suicide car bomb explodes near an army vehicle in a market in the northwest Shangla district, killing 41, including six security officers o October 12th 2009. Federal security building in Lahore was stormed by militants and,seven people including police and attackers were killed on October 15th 2009.
Eight people died in a separate incident at Lahore’s Manawan police training academy on October 15th 2009. And a police commando training centre near the airport at Bedian was attacked on October 15th 2009.
Lahore is the second largest city in Pakistan, which witnessed the worst violence in the recent past.
“Please be careful, do not go anywhere alone” texts messages sent to my mobile by my friends from SAMS 6 (South Asian Media School) in the other cities of Pakistan.
“Where are you?, we heard that there had been a few attacks in Pakistan. Please take care” these are texts messages which were sent from my relatives and friends in Sri Lanka and abroad.
The Elite Force was created on the order of the then Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in 1997–1998. The Elite Punjab Police is also known as the “Elite Force” or “Police Commandos”. It is a branch of Punjab Police, which specializes in counter-terrorist operations, and VIP security duties. Their motto is Allahu Akbar(disambiguation).
Khudah Hafeez-This is an Urdu/Farsi language phrase which means goodbye. It literally means ‘God Protect’). Jazakallah KhairKhair-This is a popular phrase that people use to thank others. It literally means ‘May Allah grant you goodness’. These phrases came from the Elite Punjab Police officers, when I bid good bye…..!
Elite Punjab Police officers at Sunfort Hotel in Lahore
Protection was provided for 24 hours
A crow drinks water on the street of Lahore
They are trained in fore arms, personal combat, and reconnaissance missions
Near the Liberty Market Roundabout
Members of the Elite Punjab Police are trained for six months at the Elite Training Center in Badian, Lahore
More scenes of security precautions as we passed several busy thoroughfares of Lahore:
The Police have found themselves increasingly in the front line in several recent attacks
Punjab Province is home to about half of Pakistan’s 175 million people and its major industries
The Punjab Police played a significant part in handling the refugee crisis of 1947-48
The Elite is a specially trained force which assists the District Police
Checkpoint on the way
Entering the High Security Zone
Shady trees have an inviting presence in the steamy daytime Lahore weather
Lahore is often referred to as the cultural heart of Pakistan
Lahore if the fifth largest city in South Asia, and 26th largest city in the world
Elite Police Academy is situated in Lahore
The Elite Police are trained in the use of a range of weapons
The Elite Police was formed as a counterterrorism unit, but over time its duties expanded to VIP escort.
Lahore, the capital city of the Pakistani province of Punjab bustles with activity:
Held in a busy Lahore traffic tie up at “Kalma Chowk” on Ferozpur road
A welcome note at the main entrance of Avari Hotel in Lahore
Pigeons in the lawn of Avari Hotel
“Think Pink”-Bridal fashion Studio in Liberty Market
Mohamed Khan drives us throughout the city. He wears an embroidered handcrafted hat.
Time to rest on the parked donkey cart
The total population of Lahore in 2009 is 10,000,000
Journey through Liberty Roundabout
Lahore has very rich Mughal heritage, and it is it is often called the “Garden of Mughals”
Lollywood-Pakistan’s film industry headquarters is based in Lahore
Newspaper seller on a busy street in Lahore
Decorated wooden lorry, another vivid characteristic of the City of Lahore.
Milk carrier in an early morning busy street in Lahore
A store front in Lahore
Police presence is widely prevalent in the city. Routine patrol takes place in the city and suburbs
Baby on board in a convoy
Ensuring safety of the convoy of women journalists
“I am concerned about my safety due to the recent attacks in Pakistan. I daily pray for permanent peace for our country” said a whole sale nut dealer Mohamed Iliyas in Liberty Market
The Province of Punjab is considered to be having the best trained and equipped police force in Pakistan
Traveling on top of a bus
Protection to the women journalists convoy during night time travel
Night view of Liberty Roundabout
Toyota pickup truck is the vehicle of choice for many of the security personnel as well as militants in this region
Birds hover over Liberty Market
My Love N Care store in Liberty Market
Triple riding kids on busy Lahore highway as a decorated tuk-tuk passes by with several passengers
An array of shopping choices at Liberty Market
Dates store in Anaarkali Market
“Work as if you were living in the early days of a better nation” Alasdair Gray (b. 1934) Scottish writer
Bangles store in Anaarkali Market
Liberty market on a week day
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HumanityAshore.org ~ Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com
Its nice to see Lahore in these pictures the people young and old seem to go about their busness in spite of the bomb blasts at Pakistan almost daily It was good the South asian Women Journalists specaily The Sri Lankan delegates were given protection and were able to return home safe and sound. The Sri Lankan cricket team who vsited Lahore few months ago had the experience of an attack and had to return home
calling off the match
nice pictures. still, I’m not sure if I’d visit this for sure great country with interesting unique culture. somehow, I’m worried about my safety when I think of such a possibility.