RAWALPINDI: Security around the public secretariat of Awami Muslim League (AML) of newly appointed interior minister Sheikh Rashid was further tightened in response to terrorist attacks in the garrison city as a police team completed survey of surrounding commercial avenues on Tuesday.

A police team, led by SP Rawal Town Rai Mazhar Iqbal, SP Headquarters, DSP Waris Khan and the SHO visited AML’s public secretariat, publically known as Lal Haveli and discussed the security plan with Mr Rashid’s nephew, MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafiq.

Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Narcotics Sheikh Rashid Shafiq briefed the police team about security issues in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in Rawalpindi and other security issues; the team also visited surrounding commercial avenues and residential areas.

Besides deployment of additional police and personnel in plain clothes, it was decided that walk-through gates and scanners at the entrance of AML’s public secretariat will be installed for more security.

On the occasion, police officers said that tightened security around Lal Haveli will be ensured. The team was asked to improve security around Lal Haveli but not to disturb civic life and business activities in surrounding areas of the public secretariat.

Separately, Additional District and Sessions Judge Malik Ijaz Asif on Tuesday visited Adiala Jail and issued directives to release 11 prisoners, involved in petty crimes on personal sureties. Following the ADSJ’s orders, the jail administration released the prisoners.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2020