A priest has called on security agencies to provide “functional” security for travelers during this year’s annual pilgrimage to the National Marian Shrine in Mariamabad. Millions of pilgrims are expected to visit the shrine in Punjab province, which has caused concern among organizers who fear ongoing threats of terrorism. “The [metal detector] gate posted at the entrance of the shrine stopped functioning on several occasions last year,” said Father Ashraf Gill, head of security for the event, which is scheduled for September 9-11. “The continual power cuts made it worse, making millions of pilgrims vulnerable.” Fr Ashraf said he is holding meetings with police officials to discuss security arrangements, while parishes around the country have begun arranging tour buses to transport pilgrims. The threat of terrorism has led organizers to enlist additional assistance. “Two hundred youths and 30 women will be deployed at various locations to look for suspicious activity. Posters have also been distributed around churches announcing a ban on cooking pots, weapons and drugs in church compounds,” Fr Ashraf said. A cameraman for a Christian television station said that last year, the metal detector was not functioning at all. “I crossed several times during recording, but there was never any warning beep. Though I informed the priests in charge, we stayed silent to avoid panic,” said the cameraman, who asked not to be named. Security concerns have rapidly become a priority as the country’s top Catholic leaders are expected to join the pilgrimage. Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, the Venezuelan nuncio to Pakistan, will lead the inaugural procession, while four bishops will celebrate the morning Eucharist.
