Daily Times

Two major events taking place in the provincial capital and planned visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan today (Monday) have kept the law enforcement machinery on its toes. PM Imran Khan is expected to inaugurate one of the country’s biggest events, Under-21 Games, at the Peshawar Sports Complex, previously known Qayyum Stadium, in Saddar.

Also, a five-day polio campaign is beginning today in 16 districts of KP, including Peshawar. Capital City Police Officer DIG Muhammad Ali Gandapur told Daily Times that that over 5,000 personnel had been deployed for security measures. He said that staff had been deputed to ensure smooth flow of traffic, while ensuring security in Peshawar city, cantonment, and particularly in and around the sports complex. He said they had also secured the cycle race and marathon race tracks for the games and guarding the players and officials of the games, who have been staying at hotels and hostels of the sports directorate.

Similarly, special squads of the police would provide security to players and officials during their movement from their places of stay and the sports grounds.

“In addition to other barricades, we have set up an additional 22 nakabandis (barricades) in the nook and corner of Peshawar for security of the polio campaign and games while also focussing on eight different venues where sports activities are being held in the provincial metropolis,” said Ali Gandapur, who heads the Peshawar police. Also, chief minister’s special assistant on information Ajmal Wazir told media that over 23000 athletes in 32 games for men and 27 for women are taking part in the event. He added that KP U-21 Games were being held in three different phases, ie at tehsil, district and regional levels.

Meanwhile, AimalRiaz Khan from the Emergency Operation Center Khyber Pakhtunkhwa told this correspondent that more than 3.4 million children would be vaccinated in the 5-day campaign in 16 districts of the province. He added that the 16 districts are: Peshawar, Buner, DI Khan, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Karak, Hangu, Karak, Kohat, LakkiMarwat, Tank, Khyber, Bajaur, Orakzai, Kurram, North Waziristan and South Waziristan.

AimalKhan added that 12081 teams of polio workers have been formed for the campaign, including transit, fixed mobile and roaming teams.