5,700 cops deployed in Gujranwala
Rizvia Society Police Station raided the area after they were tipped-off about the presence of the AQIS militants. PHOTO: Reuters/FILE
The Standing Committee of Cabinet on Law and Order (SCCLO) reviewed security arrangements for PTI’s ongoing long march during a meeting held at Punjab Civil Secretariat. Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Environment and Cooperatives Mohammad Basharat Raja chaired the meeting through video link from Rawalpindi.
Committee Chairman Raja said that the long march will move towards Gujranwala in its third phase, a day after reaching Kamoke. He directed the district administration and Gujranwala police to complete all preparations and ordered real-time monitoring of the march.
The Cabinet Committee was informed that 5,700 policemen were deployed in Gujranwala, with seven SPs overseeing the security arrangements.
Raja added that emergency arrangements should be made in government hospitals from Gujranwala to Rawalpindi.
Expressing concern over unnecessary movement on containers leading the long march, the Cabinet Committee elcted to raise the matter before political leadership to ensure foolproof security. In this regard, Raja and Punjab Advisor Home Umer Sarfaraz Cheema will contact PTI’s central leader Asad Umar.
Raja additionally directed that government machinery should ensure the implementation of all SOPs, to ensure the security of the march in letter and spirit.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2022.