LAHORE: The Punjab government has issued orders for foolproof security arrangements in public, private, missionary, armed forces, multinational schools, colleges and universities.

In a circular issued here on Wednesday, it has been stated that educational institutions will not be allowed to work in case of unsatisfactory security arrangements.

It has been directed to check the vehicles and buses used for transportation of students and parking at safe places. Special committees will daily inspect A-category schools to review security arrangements.

It has been directed to further tighten security arrangements at all bus stands, railway stations and public places. Search operations would be carried out at sensitive institutions and other important places while instructions have been issued for strict checking at entry points of districts and the province. Polio and measles teams will be allowed to enter schools and educational institutions after complete identification and verification.

Panels to inspect A-category schools daily, polio teams, buses will be checked

According to the orders of home department, unconcerned persons will not be allowed to enter 30 meter of the premises in the beginning and closing of the schools.Chaired by Punjab IG Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera, a Regional Police Officers (RPOs) conference held through a video link at the Central Police Office on Wednesday, revisited the security strategy of the educational institutes all over the province.

The IG directed the field officers to conduct mock exercises of Quick Response Force (QRF) and panic buttons which had already been installed in schools.

He also directed that the QRF response time must be five to seven minutes. The field officers were directed to continue with the security monitoring of the educational institutes, besides maintaining a constant liaison with the administration and heads of schools, colleges and universities.

Mushtaq Sukhera also instructed the officers to ensure implementation of the already issued security SOPs for schools. He directed them to check the suspects by setting up surprise pickets.

Meanwhile, CCPO Amin Wains told media after inaugurating the new building of Naseerabad police station that security of all educational institutions and important buildings had been beefed up.

DIG (Operation) Dr Haider Ashraf, Model Town SP Mustansar Feroze and SP (Investigation) Faisal Mukhtar were also present.

The CCPO directed all divisional SPs to inspect security arrangements made by educational institutions in their respective areas. DIG Dr Haider Ashraf said approval had been granted for construction of 12 new police station buildings. Work on eight buildings would be completed during the ongoing year.

The DIG said the main objective of the Dolphin Force was to improve law and order in the city.

Mujahid and Elite Force held a flag march in different areas of the city in the wake of the Charsadda terror attack.

Mujahid Force SP Karar Husain supervised the march with 30 vehicles and over 200 officials participated in the event.

The march started from Qurban Line and terminated at the same place after passing through Canal Road, Aitchison College, Faisal Chowk, Punjab University Old Campus, Secretariat, MAO College, Qartaba Chowk, Camp Jail, Ichhra, Punjab College, Punjab University New Campus, Barkat Market, Kalma Chowk, Main Market and Siddique Trade Centre.

The Punjab education department has also asked the administration of public and private educational institutions to ensure proper security arrangements and follow the SOPs in this regard.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2016