By-elections conclude peacefully in Lahore

Minor skirmishes between rival political parties were reported

LAHORE:  

The overall law and security situation remained peaceful, save for a few incidents between rival political groups, during the by-elections in all four constituencies across Lahore.

A minor skirmish was reported in Lalak Jaan Chowk in NA-131 where supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) had a confrontation. However, the situation was quickly brought under control by law enforcement agencies.

Further, there were several reported cases of police misbehaving and uprooting PTI camps in Farooqabad and Missri Shah. PTI candidates protested the fact that officials uprooted their camps and requested the IGP to take notice of the issued.

Separately, there was a minor brawl between PML-N supporters over the distribution of food.

To maintain security and law and order, Lahore Police had deployed 12,000 police officials under the supervision of 12 SPs who provided security to 881 polling stations across the provincial capital. At least 193 polling stations were declared sensitive.

As per the plan, at least four police officials and four volunteers along with the Pakistan army were deployed at every Category A polling station. Police also cordoned off the area surrounding polling stations in accordance with the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) code of conduct.

They also used CCTV cameras installed by the Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) to monitor different parts of the city. Teams from the Police Response Unit (PRU) and the Dolphin Squad remained on patrol. PRU was on patrol around ten polling stations while the Dolphin Squad patrolled the area near five polling stations.

Meanwhile, senior police officials including CCPO Lahore BA Nasir, DIG Operations Shahzad Akbar, CTO Liaqat Ali Malik and SSP Operations Asad Sarfaraz Khan were on duty, monitoring security arrangements.

SP Headquarters Atif Nazir was appointed to provide food and logistical support to police officials on duty. SP Security Muhammad Naveed was appointed as the focal person for the occasion.

As far as traffic arrangements were concerned, CTO Liaqat Ali Malik said that all officers, from constables to senior officials, were on duty in order to maintain traffic; 109 patrolling officers and 40 inspectors under the supervision of 10 DSPs and two SPs were on duty.

Wardens set up diversions at roads situated near polling stations in addition to closing them down. They were also deployed at all main chowks and polling stations in order to maintain the flow of traffic. The Anti-Riot Police Force was on standby in the case of an emergency.

CCPO Lahore BA Nasir said that they had utilised all the available resources to ensure that the polls wer peaceful.

DIG Operations Shehzad Akbar said that the police had also been instructed to help senior citizens in addition to performing their duty. He added that they ensured fool proof security just as they did during the general elections.