ISLAMABAD: The leaves of all capital police officers was cancelled till the end of this month to ensure the availability of enough personnel for security and traffic arrangements during the upcoming general elections on July 25.

A circular was issued in this regard from the office of Deputy Inspector General of Police (security) Waqar Ahmed Chohan which says: “Due to forthcoming general elections, 2018 scheduled to be held on Wednesday July 25, 2018 and keeping in view the prevailing law and order situation, maximum police strength is required for the deployment on security and traffic duties.

It adds that leave will only be granted in extreme emergencies.

The security division has strength of 3,000 and there are 637 officials in the traffic division, an officer said. He said 1,800 of the officers in the security division cannot be removed as they are on fixed duty. Usually, 10pc of the total strength of the security division is allowed to be on leave at one time and 10 to 15pc of the traffic division’s strength is allowed to be on leave at one time.

Capital police request over 7,000 personnel from Rangers, FC, Azad Kashmir police and 200 vehicles ahead of election day

The capital police have also requested for over 7,000 personnel from Rangers, the Frontier Constabulary and the Azad Kashmir police for helping with security duties during the election.

About 6,502 personnel will be deployed at the 773 polling stations in the capital, police officials said, and that a team of nine will be deployed at all of the 24 ‘most sensitive’ polling stations.

There are 87 ‘sensitive’ polling stations in the capital where 609 personnel will be deployed, with a team of seven at each.

Similarly, 3,385 personnel will be deployed at the 677 ‘normal’ polling stations in the capital, with a team of five at each.

The capital has been divided into four police administrative zones and each will be provided with four platoons on standby, each consisting of 20 personnel.

Four platoons consisting of 80 personnel will be given under the supervision of four sub-divisional police officers and 42 platoons will be provided to sub-sectors.

About 100 halting points will be established across the capital in connection with the elections and a team of five personnel will be performing security duties at each point. Some 70 pickets will also be established in the capital with four personnel at each.

Furthermore, 36 mobiles will patrol the capital, each team consisting of five officials in addition to 44 teams of two officials each.

Sixty Quick Response Force teams with six officials each will also take part in the security duties in addition to 1,000 Rangers.

Officials from the police’s operations, security, logistics, special branch, investigations and Rescue-15 have been gathered as well, police officials said.

In addition to manpower, the police have also sought 200 vehicles including 100 pickups for halting point and patrolling duties and 100 for transporting manpower.

Peace flag march

The capital police on Thursday conducted a flag march on Thursday in order to maintain peace and tranquillity in the city and to show the security measures being taken.

The march was conducted on the directions of SSP Islamabad Najeebur Rehman Bugvi and was attended by other senior officers from the police, station house officers, traffic police, police commandoes, Rescue 15 and patrol officers.

It started from Pakistan Sports Complex and culminated at Zero Point after passing through Rawal Dam Chowk, Shehzad Town, Tramri Chowk, Lehtrar Road, Khanna Bridge, Koral Chowk, PWD Housing Society, the Expressway and Faizabad.

SSP Bugvi said the Islamabad police have made all preparations for providing high alert security and said all wings should ensure coordination and assist other law enforcement agencies.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2018