LAHORE: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mushtaq Sukhera has issued high alert in the province in the context of a recent wave of terrorism.

A number of directions were issued in a circular sent out to regional and district police officers regarding security, law and order on Friday.

According to a handout, the IGP directed police officers to check mosques, imambargahs, shrines and other important places. Movement of suspicious persons should be strictly monitored and patrolling around sensitive installments made more effective.

He further said strict monitoring of entry and exit points of the province should be ensured and a vigilant eye kept on suspicious persons. No laxity would be tolerated in checking of vehicles, motorcycles and people crossing inter-provincial checkposts.

While issuing directions about security arrangements of markets, shopping malls, parks, recreational places and educational institutes, the IGP said that police officials deployed on security should be monitored.

The circular further directed all regional and district police officers to stay in the field and ensure better monitoring of patrolling and checking points.

Also on Friday, a Chinese consulate delegation held a meeting regarding security with the IGP at Central Police Office.

The four-member delegation was led by Consul General Long Dingbin.

The consul general appreciated the steps taken for the security of foreigners, including Chinese nationals working in the country.

He also praised the government for setting up the Special Protection Unit (SPU) and announced that Beijing had sent 10 vehicles as a goodwill gesture to strengthen capacity of the unit.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2017