Sindh police chief Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar on Thursday issued directives to his subordinates in view of the distribution of cash by the government at 1,800 locations in the province.
“This distribution shall start from Friday [today],” read the instructions issued by the inspector general of police (IGP). “The government has decided to extend financial help to the most vulnerable segments of society under the ambit of the BISP [Benazir Income Support Programme] and the EHSAS Programme in which cash will be distributed via HBL from 1,800 locations.”
The instructions were issued to all Addl IGs, the DIGs posted at various divisions and the district SSPs. They were directed to formulate a comprehensive security plan in coordination with the deputy commissioners and the local administration. They were told to ensure strict vigilance and necessary coordination with the Rangers and other stakeholders for a safe transportation of cash, and taking care of the staff and premises of the designated distribution points.
They were ordered to take measures for social distancing as per the Corona Pandemic SOP issued earlier. The directives also included the provision of protective equipment, including face masks, gloves, soap and sanitisers, to the deployed force. They were also told to ensure the presence of sufficient force with anti-riot kits at the spots and in the reserve. They were asked to ensure the presence of female police staff at each distribution point and the availability of food and necessary items for the deployed police personnel.
“No crowd gathering shall be allowed at distribution points or around such premises. The police vehicles shall be deputed to help transport cash and staff related to the BISP and the EHSAS Programme. All administrative orders regarding lockdown issued by the Sindh government and the police shall be followed in letter and spirit during this activity”.
Karachi police chief visits Garden headquarters
Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon visited the police headquarters in Garden’s south zone for the inspection of the measures and arrangements in place there for the welfare of the police force.
Speaking on the occasion, the additional inspector general of Karachi police said the police force had rendered numerous sacrifices in the past for maintaining the law and order. He said the police force deployed in the city yet again faced with a tough challenge in the form of COVID-19 whose local spread had to be slowed down at any cost.
He said the police force had to render services with the best of their abilities to protect the residents of Karachi from this deadly viral disease. Memon said the police force should be polite and show good manners while dealing with the citizens while performing their duties on the roads and in the streets during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The city police chief said the police force should observe all safety precautions for the protection against the COVID-19 as they were the frontline warriors in the fight against the deadly disease. “We should also observe the due safety and precautionary measures for our families as well for our well-being.”
The city police chief also visited the isolation ward established at the Police Hospital in Garden and inspected the facilities available there for the ailing policemen. Meanwhile, the Karachi police during their action against the lockdown violators registered 157 cases, arrested 422 citizens and seized 448 vehicles in two days (Wednesday and Thursday).