LAHORE: Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Amin Wains says special security measures will be taken to provide security for peaceful conduct of local government (LG) elections just as police ensured peaceful by-election in NA-122 despite security threats.

The CCPO was talking to a delegation of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), which was led by MNA Shafqat Mahmood, in his office on Saturday.

He said a comprehensive security plan had been finalised for the LG elections and a sub-inspector with 12 constables would be deputed in every union council.

“As many as 3,500 polling stations have been established in 1,700 buildings of 274 union councils in the city and six police divisions have been divided into 12 for LG elections security to address the apprehensions of the political parties,” he said

Mr Wains urged the political parties to cooperate with police and nominate a focal person who should remain in contact with police control room established in all divisional police offices. Additional force from the army and Rangers would also remain alert during the elections, he said, adding that no one should be allowed create law and order situation during or after the election.

MNA Shafqat Mehmood said there were serious threats of riots on local level as the local government elections were being held all over the city. He lauded the security arrangements made by police for NA-122 by-election. He said the PTI would provide Lahore police with a list of miscreants who had planned to sabotage the LG elections.

Mr Mahmood also suggested the police high-ups to introduce mobile response units or establish a helpline for LG elections to ensure impartiality.

MPA Mian Aslam Iqbal, Dr Yasmeen Rashid, Meher Wajid, DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf, SSP Sohail Akhter Sukhera, SSP Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera, SSP CIA Umar Virk, SSP VVIP Security Ather Ismail, SP headquarter Umer Saeed, SP Mujahid Qarar Husain and all divisional SPs were present.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2015

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