Your post OF reminded me of (yet another) "security measure" I forgot to mention earlier. All spectators are also required to "prove their identity". And we're also expected to get checked physically on reaching the ground. And yeah, there's also this bit of news that several secret security cameras have been installed inside the NSK at vantage points known only to the law enforcing agencies (the police, the rangers, and some army officials as well). I find this very up setting, doesn't all of this account to blatant invasion of privacy?

The report in Jang does say spectators can take their own food inside, but they must to do in soft containers, such as transparent plastic or polythene bag.

And speaking of security measures that make day to day life a major hindrance, just ask anyone who lives in Clifton, Bath Island, Cant, or Defense. How many roads are blocked because some XYZ country's embassy is just around the corner, sometimes these roads are major roads, like the road in front of the US Embassy here, which for the record, is not even functional, and all official work is carried out from the one in Islamabad, but yet, to protect just the lousy old empty building every other month or so the main Abdullah Haroon Road is closed.

It's closed for all public transport (taxis, rickshaws and public buses permanently, and no form of high roof cars, trucks or tanker are allowed either), and only private cars can go through. I imagine this is quite a hindrance for the other buildings on that road, the Marriot Hotels for instance, which are adjacent the consulate, as well as the Standard Charted Bank Building.

And only God knows how much loss it causes us in terms of potential tourists lost, the Ferreir Hall is opposite the consulate and there was a time when the surrounding Jinnah Gardens use to be a hub of activity with locals from all across this city relaxing in the wonderful gardens, or sight seeing the glorious Ferreir Hall building and the Sadequain gallery inside. But now, it remains deserted mostly. But obviously, because we have to safeguard the non-functional consulate building, all this must be forgotton. Makes perfect sense, doesn't it?

ps for Richie: Just noticed you said you wore worried about me, I appreciate that sentiment, but don't feel worried. Unlike some who like to first demand that they be given presidential level security all the time, and then like complaining that it makes them mentally jaded, I don't make a fuss about this, I don't see the reason to, because for me something is just as likely to happen in PLS (presidential level security) as in zero level security. There is no security against death.

I have lived in this city for 18 years, and dealt with this, and I have loved my life here all the way through, I will not exchange living here for any where else in the world. The bomb blasts don't scare or worry me now, they did when I was younger, like 6 or 7 year old, and we had school cancelled every 7th day because of a stupid strike, but now those dirty, bloody days of secretarial or other forms violence are more or less behind us. And even though when we do occasionally get something of that nature, it doesn't "scare" me, it doesn't make me feel less inclined to go out to shop, meet my friends or family or just have fun, but it does make angry, sorry and frustrated.