Security steps for polls reviewed

LAHORE
To review the security arrangements during the Local Government elections schedule on 31st of October in 12 districts, an important RPOs conference was held on Tuesday at Central Police Office under the chairmanship of Inspector General Police Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera.
All the RPOs and DPOs through video link whereas Addl: IGP Welfare and Finance, Addl: IGP Operations, CCPO Lahore, DIG Headquarters, DIG Establishment-I, DIG Establishment-II and others were also present.
The Punjab police will remain impartial during these elections which was decided in the conference. The IGP said that strict action will be taken against those who will try to disrupt the elections.
The code of conduct of the Election Commission of Pakistan will be implemented in letter and spirit. No candidate will be allowed to move with their armed private guards during these elections.
He also said that zero tolerance policy will be followed in case of displaying and carrying of arms and aerial firing. It was also decided that the candidates having serious security threats could be provided police security guards on temporary basis.
In 16,326 polling stations of 12 districts, security deployment will be made in two categories of A and B, where more than hundred thousand police officers and officials will perform security duties whereas the request for 50 companies of Pakistan Army and Rangers has been forwarded.
The provincial police chief also directed the field officers to manage the boarding/lodging of the police personnel who will be deployed in their respective districts.
The districts where elections will be held are Lahore, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Gujrat, Okara, Pakpattan, Chakwal, Bhakkar, Lodhran, Faisalabad, Vehari and Bahwalnagar.
Eight die: At least 576 road traffic accidents were reported to the Rescue 1122’s Provincial Monitoring Cell in all the 37 districts of Punjab during the last 24 hours in which eight lives were lost and 510 seriously injured were shifted to different hospitals of relevant districts. However, some 198 victims sustaining minor injuries were provided first aid on the spot.
About 271 drivers, four underage drivers, 90 pedestrians and 355 passengers were among victims of these road traffic accidents. The statistics show 97 RTAs were reported to Lahore Control Room, which affected 101 persons placing the provincial capital at the top of the list followed by 48 RTAs in Faisalabad with 62 victims and Gujranwala at third position in 46 RTAs with 49 victims.
Details further show that total 716 victims were affected by road traffic crashes including 557 males and 159 females, while the age group of the victims show that 88 were under 18 years of age, 460 were between 18 and 40 years and rest of the 168 victims were reported above 40 years. About 461 motorbikes, 88 auto rickshaws, 65 motorcars, 37 vans, eight passenger buses, 17 trucks and 65 other types of auto vehicles and slow moving carts were involved in the aforesaid road traffic accidents.
ETPB cases: Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiq-ul-Farooq has said he has handed over NAB all the relevant record pertaining to illegal appointments, investment, corruption, etc. committed during his predecessor’s era.
According to a press release, the ETPB chairman said on Tuesday that he handed over NAB all the record pertaining to illegalities of Asif Hashmi when he was at the helm of the affairs of the ETPB. He said he formed a team of the board’s officials to facilitate NAB in this regard. He said his aim is to make corruption-free-ETPB.