FC to provide 175 platoons for general elections

PESHAWAR: The Frontier Constabulary (FC) is to provide around 175 platoons to assist police in ensuring security for the general elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad and Karachi.

“We will provide 125 platoons to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 40 to Islamabad and 10 platoons to Karachi police for security during the general elections,” FC Commandant Moazzam Jah Ansari told The News.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police is to arrange the required 34,000 additional personnel for security during the general elections.

“We need around 34,000 additional cops for adequate security arrangements during the general polls. Apart from seeking services of a good number of platoons from FC, the government and the force will engage manpower from many other departments to arrange for the additional security personnel,” a senior official of KP Police told The News.

The KP Police recently upgraded security for the political leaders who had received threat alerts in the past days. Police officials said they had taken adequate measures for security of all the important political leaders as well as their gatherings.

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) the other day approached the Election Commission of Pakistan and other relevant forums to ensure upgraded security to the party leadership during the election campaign. The KP Police was directed to ensure upgraded security for the political leaders and their gatherings.

The development happened after two alleged would-be bombers were held by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) that were said to be planning attacks on JUIF chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and provincial president of the Awami National Party, Aimal Wali Khan.

The officials of the CTD on last Friday said they had arrested two alleged would-be suicide bombers sent to attack two senior politicians from the province. For the last couple of years law and order situation has worsened in several parts of KP, especially southern districts, with an increase in attacks on police, security forces and civilians.

Some political figures and gatherings were attacked as well by the terrorists in a few parts of the province. Senior police officials said the situation had improved in other parts of the province while efforts were being made to improve law and order in the southern districts.

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QAMBAR SHAHDADKOT: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressing a press conference during his visit here on Monday. —PPI