IG calls for prudence to ensure peaceful elections

Two books by Sindh police officers launched by AD Khowaja

KARACHI: Political parties should stick to political norms while carrying out their electoral campaigns so that the elections are conducted peacefully.

Sindh Inspector-General of Police Allah Dino Khowaja said this to the media on Friday at the launch of two books authored by Sindh police officers.

The IG admitted that some elected representatives and citizens had received threats from Iran and Afghanistan via the internet. He added that the police have sought assistance from intelligence agencies in this regard.

According to the police chief, security was provided to VVIPs after a threat assessment. Farooq Sattar, Mustafa Kamal and Afaq Ahmed have been provided proper security, he said.



The IG explained that threat assessment committees had been constituted on zonal levels following a judicial decree. The committees comprised commissioners and representatives of the police and intelligence agencies, he said, adding that decisions regarding the provision and withdrawal of security to the VVIPS were based on the committees' recommendations.



"It is the state's responsibility is to provide security to those who are facing serious threats," the IG said. Commenting on the recent fire at the City Court's malkhana, IG Khowaja said a report on the fire had been prepared, according to which there was no criminal involvement.

The police chief informed the media that there were security issues in Ramazan and 3,000 trained personnel will join the Karachi police during the month.

The Forensic Science Agency in Punjab is a mega project and has latest equipment, the IG said, lamenting that such a facility could not be established in Sindh. He, however, expressed satisfaction over the establishment of a ballistics cross-matching laboratory in Sindh, which was a state-of-the-art facility that even Punjab did not have.

The books launched at the ceremony included the 'Forensic Investigation Hand Book', authored by Headquarters DIG Sharjil Kharal, and 'Investigation of Offences' by Muhammad Akbar.



The IG said it was a matter of pride for him that he was launching two books of Sindh police officers. The books will help officers conduct speedy and fair investigations, he added. According to him, the responsibilities of the police force had undergone a major shift in comparison to the responsibilities of 20 years ago. The books will also be published in Urdu and other languages, IG Khowaja said.

Several serving and retired police officers attended the ceremony.