259,000 cops to perform election duty

LAHORE : Caretaker Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari presided over a meeting to discuss preparations for the general elections and arrangements for floods, dengue and polio in detail.

The meeting decided to deploy 259,000 police for the election duty. The meeting also decided to provide security to important political personalities due to threats. Security will also be provided to public gatherings and rallies.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Hasan Askari said 47,473 polling stations would be set up for voting for 141 seats of the National Assembly and 297 seats of the provincial assembly of Punjab. Coordination with the Pakistan Army, Rangers and other security agencies to maintain peace is also being given the final shape.

Section 144 has been imposed across Punjab for the implementation of the election code of conduct.

The Cabinet Committee for Law and Order regularly reviews the security situation in the province, he was informed. The chief minister directed indiscriminate action against violators of the election code of conduct and said divisional and district administration and police should take immediate step against the violation of the code of conduct. "Everybody should discharge their duties with honesty and dedication. We will be able to discharge our national duty in an effective manner, if we work with honesty and dedication. The interim government is taking all possible measures with consultation," he added. The interim chief minister directed to pay special attention to law and order and security situations. The meeting also decided to constantly monitor protective embankments in view of flooding. The chief minister said all possible efforts should be made to manage flooding and deal with monsoon rains.

"Departments concerned should keep themselves alert during relief and rescue work during rains. The flood monitoring room is working 24/7. The departments have set good example by showing excellent performance during heavy rains. It proves that we can get good results with teamwork," he added. The chief minister said embankments of rivers should be checked regularly. While reviewing arrangements for dengue, he said the decided plan for dengue control should be implemented strictly to avert an outbreak. The implementation of the dengue control plan is a big challenge, he observed.

He said polio control was our national duty and joint efforts in the regard should continue. The meeting was informed that there were 6,335 A category polling stations, 16,944 B category polling stations and 24,201 C category polling stations. Over 2,832 violations of code of conduct have been reported across the province so far and action was taken under the law.

The meeting was told that 854 boats, 17,968 life jackets, 4,050 life rings, 1437 dewatering sets, 48,799 tents, 21,620 blankets, 52 boat trollies, 30 generators, 49,939 plastic mats and 43,226 mosquito nets have been stocked. It was told that surveillance teams were working for dengue control. No death has been reported due to dengue this year so far.

Suspected cases of dengue are less as compared to the last year. Arrangements are complete for polio control and no case of polio has been reported this year so far. Interim provincial ministers Zafar Mehmood, Shaukat Javed, Jawwad Sajjid and Saeedullah Babar, chief secretary, additional chief secretary, additional chief secretary home, senior member Board of Revenue, IGP and senior officers of concerning departments also attended the meeting, while commissioners and RPOs attended meeting via video link.

Tribute to Edhi: Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari has said Abdul Sattar Edhi has set best example of human service.

In his message on the second death anniversary of Abdul Sattar Edhi, the chief minister said, “We should all learn from Abdul Sattar Edhi.”

He said Edhi was an asset to Pakistan and a true identity of the country. Dr Hasan Askari said Edhi served humanity without discrimination of race, colour and religion.