PEHAWAR: In the wake of a string of militant attacks on political parties, the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa caretaker government on Wednesday has revised its security plan for the upcoming elections.

The KP government requested President Asif Ali Zardari for return of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) platoons back to the province so that these could be deployed to stop infiltration by militants and provide security to the candidates.

At the same time, the army’s quick response force will be deployed on the district level for all polling stations for three days ahead and after polling day.

Caretaker KP Information Minister Mussarat Qadeem, briefing the media about the All Parties Conference on security on Wednesday said: “After listening to the security concerns expressed by the political parties, the KPK government has decided to make fool-proof arrangements for candidates. Five FC personnel will be provided to each contesting candidates for which payment will be made by the government.

“However, the number of guards can be increased keeping in view the level of threat to the candidate which would be decided by the district police chief.

“The KPK borders with the tribal areas and to stop militant attacks, FC personnel will be deployed in the buffer zone,” said the caretaker chief minister.

Responding to a query, she said that political parties must also raise their own volunteers to identify strangers in their rallies and should  inform the police at least 48 hours before an election gathering or rally.

“It is requested that political parties not hold their gatherings in congested streets. They should try to remain in a guarded place and limit their activity to just six to seven hours, in order to minimise the risk of an attack,” she added.

“The political parties have also agreed to sit together and devise their own strategy to ward off threats," she said.

The minister said that political parties were worried about threats but have expressed full confidence in the caretaker government.