KARACHI: Additional Insp­ector General of Police Javed Odho on Wednesday said that a contingency plan had been prepared for the local government elections in Karachi, under which, a total of 37,861 policemen would perform election duty.

Speaking at a press conference at his office, the city police chief added that out of total election duty force, 24,968 would be posted at polling stations and 5,010 would work as quick response force while 4,438 personnel would be deployed as anti-riots reserve force.

At the start of his press conference, Mr Odho touched upon the issue of recent ethnic tensions in Karachi and Hyderabad and expressed the view that the police had controlled this ‘atmosphere of ethnicity’ with better policing and engaging leaders of both the communities while dealing with miscreants with iron hand.

He said the Election Comm­ission of Pakistan had established a total of 4,996 polling stations in Karachi and none of them was ‘normal’.

City police chief unveils security arrangements for local govt elections

A total of 1,246 polling stations have been described as highly sensitive while 3,750 termed as sensitive where eight and four policemen, respectively, would be deployed at each PS.

He said during elections, law and order problem used to emerge on account of various reasons and for this purpose, over 500 teams of policemen had been set up, which would reach at any disturbed place within five to 10 minutes to meet any eventuality.

In addition to the policemen, 3,000 private guards/scouts would also be deployed.

As many as 2,000 police mobiles would be patrolling during the polls.

Responding to a question about violence during recently held by-election on NA-240 in Korangi, the city police chief said out of total 309 polling stations, law and order problem was reported from three PS only.

He admitted that at present, there was a ‘tension’ between certain political parties and they would resolve those issues to ensure peaceful LG polls.

He said there was an ethnic issue, which had been dealt in a better way with use of force and engaging ‘peaceful’ elements of both the communities. “There is no outstanding issue in this regard,” claimed the Karachi police head.

He pointed out that a total of eight cases pertaining to violence and riots, etc, had been registered under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 and around 100 ‘miscreants’ had been arrested and efforts were under way to arrest absconders. “We are in touch with peaceful leaders of both the communities while we are chasing the miscreants.”

Mr Odho said that there was a wrong ‘perception’ that crimes in the metropolis had increased and claimed that the data of CPLC showed that street crimes, particularly snatching and lifting of motorbikes had decreased around eight per cent recently.

Ban on display of arms

The city police chief said that Section 144 of the criminal procedure code had been imposed under which display of arms would be banned during the polling and party leaders facing ‘real’ threats would be provided police guards, but they would not be allowed to carry private guards.

Mr Odho said that Rangers would help them in maintaining law and order while Pakistan Army would remain as a standby.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2022