LAHORE, Nov 2: Punjab government is likely to spend over Rs200 million from provincial exchequer to purchase latest equipment for chief minister’s security, Dawn has learnt.

The sum matches the amount being reportedly spent on President Asif Ali Zardari’s security.

Proposals in this regard have been finalised by a high-level police committee constituted by the Punjab IG, and a list of required security equipment has already been handed over to the government for further action.

Sources claimed the equipment, which includes bomb and explosive locators, explosive detectors, latest walk-through gates and costly sniffer dogs, would be provided to the newly-created ‘Security Division’ for the chief minister’s security.

However, DIG Abid Qadri, who heads the division, told Dawn the unit would also extend security protocol to other VVIPS, including the president, the prime minister and governor, but with special focus on CM’s security.

He said the division would have three units- Lahore, Rawalpindi and a mobile one.

He confirmed that after observing the existing security apparatus available with the law-enforcement agencies, the members of the committee had recommended purchase of new and latest equipment.

The creation of the new division, comprising a DIG, three SPs, 12 DSPs and over 1,000 officials, and allocation of a huge amount for purchase of security apparatus and offices (for the DIG and three SPs) comes at a time when the federal as well as provincial governments have announced shelving of development projects in Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) owing to serious financial crisis the country is faced with.

The division is said to be the brainchild of the provincial top brass, including the chief secretary and the IG, who felt it necessary after suicide attacks on some politicians.

A police source claimed that special measures were being taken for Shahbaz Sharif’s security in view of threat to Sharif brothers from ‘foreign pro-war on terror’ elements because of the PML-N’s stance against operation in the tribal areas.

Till now, the staff comprising a chief security officer and two personal staff officers had been performing the security and protocol duties for the chief minister. The chief ministers of remaining three provinces were getting routine security protocol.

The source added that Shabaz Sharif had also appointed a retired army Major, Mr Moaaz, as his coordinator on the security, drawing Rs75,000 per month. The former army man had started supervising the security division’s affairs, especially its ‘close protection section’. Of the three SPs, one each has been placed at the Jati Umra (Raiwind), S-Block of DHA, Model Town Camp Office and 7-Club.

“The officials, who are still without any office, check the security arrangements at the CM’s residences and nothing else,” a police source said and added that the whole staff, including the DIG, was practically under the command of the security coordinator.

Dawn further learnt that the local police were still being used for CM’s protocol and security duties during his movement in the city despite the division’s creation two months back.

On Sunday afternoon, local police deployment was witnessed on Khiaban-i-Jinnah, Sattokatla, for providing security cover to the CM.

“I have been standing on the road for the last one hour and do not know when the CM will pass from here,” said a police official.

It was learnt that all divisional SPs were still extending security protocol to the CM on the directives of police high-ups.

“The security division officials are not taking their job seriously and the whole burden is being passed on to the local police,” a police official said requesting anonymity.

He said after finding no security division official deployed for chief minister’s security, the divisional SP was bound to depute his subordinates along the CM’s route.

DIG Abdi Qadri also admitted the local police were being deployed for chief minister’s security.