Interim CM wants to build quick response force

Says there is a possibility of saboteurs infiltrating the province

PESHAWAR: With the caretaker setup focused on conducting the general elections smoothly, the interim chief minister of the province on Thursday sought the creation of a special force to tackle untoward incidents during the polls.

Addressing a high-level meeting to review police preparations for the general elections next month, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retired) Dost Muhammad asked to create a quick response force (QRF) to quickly respond to situations emerging prior, during and after elections.



He added that intelligence gathering, sharing and coordination amongst the various intelligence agencies was the key to successfully conducting polls in the province, dealing with any eventuality professionally, prevention of infiltration of warmongers and terrorists and checking crimes.

DIG Muhammad Ali Baba Khel presented a detailed sketch of the police mobility and preparedness for the general elections in the province. He dilated on the strengths and weaknesses of the force and other security apparatus, the challenges, willingness and preparedness of police to overcome these challenges.



Justice Muhammad directed officials to monitor both the frequented and unfrequented routes to stop infiltration of miscreants into the province.

“The caretaker government will not allow subversion of elections. There is a possibility that if infiltration takes place, it will find safe placement for onward saboteur activities in the province,” he feared.

He underlined the need for remaining vigilant and reinforcing sensitive areas by conducting by joint search operations together with intelligence agencies and police.

The police should have a network and the people be sensitized and in case of any eventuality, the quick response force should spurn into action for controlling the situation, the interim CM outlined.

This region, he said, was gaining importance because of the involvement of international players and that forces should not remain oblivious to the new international game plan.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2018.