May 23, 2007	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 06, 1428

ATTOCK, May 22: The Attock police is facing problems in routine policing as some 150 officials, 20 per cent of the total strength, have been sent to Islamabad to assist the capital police in maintaining law and order in the wake of Jamia Hafsa standoff, it has been learnt.

Official sources said a contingent comprising DSP Irshad Mehmood, six inspectors, nine sub-inspectors, 20 assistant sub- inspectors and 115 constables was sent to the federal capital Sunday evening.

The force will remain stationed at the capital till the normalisation of the prevailing tense situation, they added.

Due to unavailability of around 20 per cent of the entire police force, the overall performance of the Attock police would be affected as it had already started facing shortage of personnel for duties, the sources said.

Attock is located on the Punjab province’s boundary with NWFP and its police have to provide escorts and security cover to VIPs including federal and provincial ministers using the main land route.

Besides, the personnel have the important duty of keeping a round-the-clock vigil on anti-social elements moving between the two provinces.

Even the actual strength of the police force is quite inadequate to carry out routine assignments diligently and effectively.

The sources also told this reporter that about 400 police officials would be required for maintaining law and order during the by-elections for Thatta UC nazim in Jand tehsil scheduled to be held on Thursday.

The seat fell vacant after the death of Sardar Amir Khan, who was a brother of Jand Tehsil Nazim Sardar Manzar Ameer Khan.