RAWALPINDI: For the first time, lady health workers (LHWs) have been called to assist women police to maintain peace during the by-elections for the Punjab Assembly seat (PP-7) of Kahuta-Kallar Syedan on Sunday.

On the other hand, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan has directed all regional and district offices to remain open from 8am till the finalisation of the by-polls.

According to the security plan, polling stations have been categorised as ‘A’, the most sensitive, ‘B’, less sensitive and ‘C’ as normal. The categorisation has been made due to their vulnerability and tension between political groups.

Besides the women police, the LHWs have also been called to assist the police in Kahuta-Kallar Syedan.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Imran Ahmar and other officers gave a special briefing to the women police officials and the LHWs about security duty during the by-elections. The RPO said any dereliction of duty will not be tolerated.

He said implementation of the code of conduct of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will be ensured. Moreover, foolproof security and effective traffic arrangements will maintained before the start of the polling and till the end.

As part of the security measures, almost all personnel from police stations in Rawalpindi have been called for special duty and very small number of police have been left behind in the police stations. Besides the personnel, all police vehicles have also been called to Kahuta.

“I have not seen such a large number of police deployment in a small area like Kahuta and Kallar Syedan in the past,” said a police official requesting anonymity. He said there will be no police personnel in other parts of Rawalpindi on Saturday and Sunday.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2022