PESHAWAR: Caretaker Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa retired Justice Dost Mohammad Khan on Thursday asked the police to create a quick response force to deal with all eventualities, which could arise before, during and after the coming general elections.

He also called for intelligence gathering, intelligence sharing and coordination among intelligence agencies, saying it is imperative for the successful holding of elections in the province.

The chief minister was addressing a high-level meeting, which was called here to review the police’s preparedness for elections in the province, said an official statement issued here.

Also orders monitoring of frequented, unfrequented routes to check miscreants

Chief secretary Mohammad Azam Khan, inspector general of police Salahuddin Mehsud, administrative secretaries, and senior police officials attended the meeting.

DIG Mohammad Ali Babakhel informed the participants about the provincial police’s mobility and preparedness for the general elections.

He highlighted the police’s strength, weaknesses, challenges, willingness and preparedness to overcome challenges.

The participants were also briefed about the standing operating procedure for the holding of corner meetings and public gatherings in the province.

The CM asked the police to monitor both frequented and unfrequented routes to stop the infiltration of miscreants into the province.

He said the caretaker government would not allow the subversion of elections.

“There is a possibility that if infiltration takes place, it will find a safe placement for onward saboteur activities in the province,” the statement quoted Justice Dost Mohammad as saying.

Retired Justice Dost Mohammad underlined the need for keeping a vigil and making reinforcement in sensitive areas saying this should be supported by search operation of the intelligence agencies, while the police should have a dominant role.

He said the police should have a network and the people should be sensitised.

“In case of any eventuality, the quick response force should spurn into action to control the situation,” he said.

The CM said the region was gaining importance due to the involvement of international players and therefore, the authorities shouldn’t be oblivious to the new international game plan.

He said he would start meeting political leaders soon to share experiences.

“I will tell them about preparedness for elections and will know about their suggestions about the peaceful, free, fair and transparent holding of elections in the province,” he said.

Retired Justice Dost Mohammad said he would approach the relevant quarters for the redeployment of the Frontier Constabulary to reinforce security situation in the province and that the merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa enhanced the role of all departments.

He ordered special arrangements and appropriate deployment in sensitive polling stations to prevent untoward incidents.

The CM said special arrangements would be made for smooth electric supply to polling stations by the local government department and even generators could be arranged.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2018