Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad police on Friday, decided to deploy more than 3,000 policemen outside the polling stations in NA-53.

An elaborate security plan has been chalked out by Senior Superintendent of Police Islamabad Syed Muhammad Amin Bukhari after brainstorming sessions with all stakeholders and formal approval has been given by Inspector General of Police Islamabad to ensure foolproof security arrangements in the capital on polling day.

The SSP Islamabad said that a total of 3,000 policemen will perform security duties on polling day in the capital while NA-53 has been divided into four zones, six sectors and nine sub-sectors. Every zone will be supervised by an officer of SP level while sectors and sub-sectors will be headed by Assistant Superintendent Police/Sub Divisional Police Officer and Station House Officers respectively.

Out of 315 polling stations, six has been declared extreme sensitive, 30 sensitive while remaining 279 polling stations have been declared normal as per security point of view. A main control room has been set up at Safe City Project area while three wireless control rooms have been established.

Quick Response Force (QRF) teams have also been constituted to perform security duties in National Assembly constituency of ie NA-53 which will be along with zonal, sector and sub-sector commanders.

For 315 polling stations in NA-53, special teams have been constituted to avert any untoward incident and ensure security to voters.

As per security plan, four SPs, six ASPs/DSPs and nine inspectors along with their subordinate staff will monitor security arrangements and strict vigilance will be maintained outside polling stations.

Patrolling will be ensured by CTF vehicles and policemen on motorbikes while additional police strength will remain on standby at Aabpara Police Station. Parking areas will be far from the polling stations as per instructions of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

SSP Syed Muhammad Amin Bukhari has directed all police officials to ensure special security arrangements in the capital on the by-polling day when people will cast their vote at various polling stations.

“It is our responsibility to provide voters with a peaceful atmosphere so that they can cast their votes in a free manner,” the SSP said adding that policemen would have to accomplish their responsibility in an impartial way.

The SSP Islamabad also stressed to ensure effective information and coordination system among various police wings on this day.

The professional as well as responsible attitude in this regard is compulsory to get success, the SSP maintained. He hoped that each policeman of Islamabad will leave no stone unturned to ensure peaceful atmosphere and will work with dedication as well as impartially on this important occasion.

Syed Muhammad Amin Bukhari also directed SPs and SDPOs to monitor security arrangements themselves in their respective areas. He asked all police officials to visit in their assigned areas in different timings to check security measures. Islamabad Traffic Police officials will remain present near polling areas to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

Published in Daily Times, October 13^th 2018.