RAWALPINDI: Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has expressed displeasure over security arrangements during his recent visits to Gujranwala, Mianwali and Sahiwal and directed the inspector general of the police (IGP) to ensure deployment of security personnel as per the green book in future.

In his directive to the IGP, the chief minister pointed out crowding and mismanagement at different venues which resulted in a stampede-like situation during his visit to the District Headquarters (DHQ) hospitals Gujranwala and Sahiwal.

Following the direction, the IGP ordered the divisional and district police chiefs across the province to strictly follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) of security related to VIP visits.

The chief minister in his directive said all field formations be strictly advised to ensure proper deployment and security arrangements as per the green book. The green book contains guidelines for the security of VIPs.

The police were also directed to deploy sufficient number of personnel in plainclothes, Elite Force commandos and the district police.

In addition, the duty of Special Branch should also be ensured at all venues and special attention needed to be given to media management during the VIP visits.

A senior security official, who did not want to be named, told Dawn that security to VIPs, including the chief ministers and governors, was provided according to guidelines mentioned in the green book.

“Public can’t be allowed to approach the chief executive (CM or governor) of the province in the existing security atmosphere, therefore, the police have to keep people at an appropriate distance.”

Since police are deployed along the route of a VVIP, the same exercise is not carried out during a VIP’s visit.

“For a VIP, the police are not deployed on route. Only scanning of the route is carried out with metal detectors and sniffer dogs to ensure that there is no explosive,” the official said.

On Jan 20, the chief minister visited the DHQ hospital Sahiwal and inquired about the health of children injured in the Sahiwal accident. The IGP was also accompanying the chief minister. A large number of people had gathered outside the hospital and condemned the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) operation in which a couple and their daughter were gunned down. Two children of the couple were also injured in the incident.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2019