October 3, 2002	Thursday	Rajab 25, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 2: The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) has hired the services of a private security company due to apprehensions about their safety, an official source said.

He said a senior interior ministry official and the IGP Islamabad on Tuesday briefed the 22-member COG team led by Malaysia’s former deputy prime minister, Dato Tan Sri Musa Bin Hitam, about the security strategies adopted by the government.

The source said the COG team inquired about the facilities being extended to them by the government on the election day.

The COG observers, who engaged a private security company for their protection, have so far not demanded police protection, the source said.

A senior police official of Islamabad police, on condition of anonymity, said protection would be given to them if they ask for it.

The government has already promised to provide security to the Commonwealth observers during the election coverage.

The law enforcement agencies have already been directed to tightened security during the pre-election days as well as on October 10.

Meanwhile, about 275 customs officials have been assigned duty on the election day in Rawalpindi, the official source said.

These officials include inspectors, deputy superintendents and superintendents. They will perform the duty of returning officers and assistant returning officers.

The customs officials, who will perform the election duty, have been directed to report on October 9 and remain on duty till the evening of October 10, he said.