Police security to be provided to Peshawar division candidates

PESHAWAR: In light of the recent terrorist attacks against poll rallies, the administration has decided to provide police guards to election candidates in Peshawar division.

In a meeting chaired by the commissioner of Peshawar division Shahab Ali Shah, the decision was made in the presence of deputy commissioners and senior police officers of Peshawar, Nowshera and Charsadda districts.

The participants discussed the security situation in the division and decided about the provision of police guards to election candidates and issuance of temporary prohibited bore weapon permits to the candidates until July 28.

They also decided that the candidates would be asked to inform the administration about their corner meetings and political gatherings 24 hours in advance, while venues for larger public meetings would be selected after consultation with the authorities and no objection certificates would be issued for the purpose. They also advised the candidates to hold rallies in walled premises instead of main roads and open areas and requested them to keep their movement secret.

The participants decided about the regular monitoring of the provincial capital’s entry and exit routes and rented houses and hotels during election campaigns.

Commissioner Shahab Ali Shah told media outlets that the number of guards to be provided to candidates would be decided in light of ‘threat perception’.

He said the candidates could get permits for hiring private guards as well.

The commissioner said the police and district administration had made necessary preparations for elections, while police and army personnel would ensure the security of polling stations on July 25.

It said political parties should deploy eight to 10 local workers to body-search people entering their public meetings as a measure of counterterrorism, while the police would help them besides providing sniffer dogs and bomb disposal unit for the purpose.

They also recommended for the video-recording of all such gatherings to ensure security.