Security put on high alert across Punjab
Police officers stand guard outside Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium after New Zealand cricket team pull out of a Pakistan cricket tour over security concerns, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan September 17, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rao Sardar Ali Khan issued orders on Saturday to put security services on high alert across the province.
The orders were issued under the backdrop of the ongoing Pak-Australia cricket series in Rawalpindi and the aftermath of a bomb blast in Peshawar.
He directed all regional police officers (RPOs) and district police officers (DPOs) to enhance the security of sensitive areas and potential targets, especially places of worship for minority communities'.
He said search, sweep and intelligence-based operations will be intensified while check-in processes will be made effective on entry and exit points on districts and provincial routes.
The IGP added that patrolling time of forces including the Dolphin Squad and PRU should be increased and that security arrangements for the Pak-Australia cricket series should be further improved, with supervisory officers monitoring security arrangements and traffic management directly in the field.
More than 4,500 security personnel were available in Rawalpindi for the cricket series, with security teams taking steps for the safety of both players and fans. Published in The Express Tribune, March 6th, 2022.