LAHORE – Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) conducted a mock security drill here on Wednesday to check the level of preparedness of Security and Safety Department of the university in tackling any untoward incident. The mock security exercise was conducted under the supervision of LCWU Vice Chancellor Dr Uzma Qureshi, while University Registrar Uzma Batool, Chief Security Officer Major (retired) Iftikhar, the student affairs director and other officials were also present over there to monitor the mock security drill. This mock security drill is a part of a commitment to ensure safety for the hundreds of students in the buildings, to avert harm by intruders who might fire guns or take other threatening actions. Since the terrorist attack in Charsda, all the educational institutions are required to have an emergency preparedness plan for disruptive incidents. Talking to journalist on the occasion, Dr Uzma said the primary objective of the rehearsal was to ensure a timely and coordinated response by all the students and teachers. She said that it was also observed how much time it takes to rush towards safe places to ensure that it happens within a reasonable time. When she was asked whether this kind of mock security exercise could create panic among students or not, she categorically said the institution carried out such mock drill occasionally and this kind of exercise underlines the importance of professional and physical training for the students to cope with the terrorists and criminal elements. Besides, buzzing the security alarm system, the Security and Safety department also sent SMS to the mobile phones of all the staff members to make them alert and ready to face any kind of emergency or crisis. University Registrar Uzma said the drill was a reaction to the attack on Bacha Khan University. She said the staff members and certain students knew about the drill, but most students were intentionally kept in the dark in order to make the drill seem more real.