December 24, 2008	Wednesday	Zilhaj 25, 1429

KARACHI, Dec 23: A large number of policewomen who have been ordered to report to Larkana for security duties in connection with the first death anniversary of slain Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto are pleading with the authorities concerned to exempt them from duties citing personal issues, Dawn has learnt.

A large number of policewomen are running from one office to another seeking exemption from security duties, requesting the officers that they could not leave their children behind, sources told Dawn.

Sources in the Central Police Office said that some 250 policewomen, including five deputy superintendents of police who are posted in Karachi, have been ordered to report to Larkana to take up the security duties at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh in connection with what is expected to be a huge public gathering.

Government functionaries are of the view that the gathering to observe the first death anniversary of Ms Bhutto may turn out to be even larger than last year’s funeral for the slain leader.

Sources told Dawn that a substantial number of the 250 policewomen are visiting the CPO with their children and infants for the past few days requesting senior officers to spare them tedious security duty for Dec 27.

“Since already there is a shortage of women police in general in the province, we are left with little option but to send them on duty. Participation by women in great numbers is expected on Dec 27 at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh. That is why policewomen have been assigned security duties,” a senior police officer explained.

An elaborate security plan has been prepared for the Dec 27 event by the Sindh police.

Sources in the police department told Dawn that some 1,000 police personnel are being sent from the range police, some 300 to 400 from the traffic department, and around 250 personnel from the Special Branch are being sent to Larkana for Dec 27 security duties.

Law enforcement agencies are already on their toes as intelligence reports have suggested that there might be an act of terrorism on the occasion. Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfikar Mirza recently shared the intelligence report with the local media during a visit to Hyderabad.

However, some senior security officials shared their concern with this reporter saying that too much focus on the Larkana public gathering could compromise the security needs of other cities of the province.

They said that in case of any eventuality, cities like Karachi and Hyderabad would be exposed.