K-P ‘lacks’ full police strength for poll duty

Officers tell meeting that 56,000 extra policemen are required to provide security cover

PESHAWAR:

The overall strength of police is insufficient to provide security for the general elections on its own in Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa (K-P).

This was stated during a high-level meeting held on Tuesday to review the security situation in K-P in the aftermath of recent terrorist attacks in the province.

The meeting assessed the overall law & order, particularly the security situation, in the context of upcoming general elections in the province with K-P Caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan in the chair.

Chief Secretary Imdadullah Bosal, Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Amjad Ali Khan, Secretary Home Khushal Khan and senior police officials attended the meeting.

The chief minister was briefed in depth on various aspects of overall security situation regarding upcoming general elections in the province.

Top police officials informed the meeting that for the first time in history, general elections in the newly merged and settled districts are going to be held simultaneously with the rest of the country, adding that available strength of police force is insufficient to provide security for the poll exercise.

The meeting was informed that more than 56,000 additional policemen were required for the security in upcoming polls while 1,500 cops of Frontier Corps would also be needed for providing security to political leaders during the election campaign.

In light of the presentation given in the meeting and recommendations of the law enforcing agencies, the caretaker CM will apprise Governor Haji Ghulam Ali of the prevailing scenario in the province.

Background

It may be mentioned here that Governor Haji Ghulam Ali had earlier asked the chief minister to assess the overall law and order situation and send him a report.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has already filed a petition in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) pleading that the governor was not fixing a date for general elections which should be held within 90 days of the assembly’s dissolution.

PHC last Thursday gave governor two days to submit a reply.

Haji Ghulam Ali said that the Peshawar High Court (PHC) could not summon him as he enjoyed constitutional immunity.

Talking to journalists in Peshawar about the PTI petition in the PHC, Haji Ghulam Ali said that he has respect even for civil courts, but as a governor, the PHC could not summon him.

“We are worried about the life and property of the general public due to the current law and order situation in the country,” he said, adding: “But despite this we want peaceful elections.”

He said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had informed the court that it had no money or staff and no one was willing to provide it with security personnel.

“We should hold consultations about elections. I urged them not to dissolve assemblies. I am the constitutional head (of the province) and I could summon anyone to get details.

“I have to think about the law and order situation and ease of movement for voters,” he had observed

The governor added that he directed the ECP to hold consultations with all stakeholders on the matter but the proposal was taken lightly by the commission.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22^nd, 2023.