RAWALPINDI: Following the Attock bombing, the Special Branch of the Punjab police has written letters to members of the national and provincial assemblies, senators and other political figures, asking them to inform the police prior to attending any public meeting so that the venue may receive a security clearance.

Sources said the Special Branch officers delivered the letters to three ministers and two senators from Rawalpindi along with other political figures on Friday.

A senior security official said the politicians had been asked to inform the Special Branch prior to attending public meetings so that the police can make security arrangements and clear the venues of any suspicious items and activities.

In addition, walk-through gates will be installed at the entrance to the venues and police and intelligence personnel will be briefed about the nature of any existing threat.

According to security sources, the move came about in the light of the Attock incident in which neither the Special Branch nor the local police were informed about the provincial home minister’s visit to his hometown.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2015

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