Rs1.19 billion allocated for security

The Punjab Police has been granted a substantial sum of Rs1.19 billion to meet the financial requirements for election duty, as confirmed by police authorities.

Breakdown of the allocated funds reveals Rs305.3 million for petrol, Rs133 million for food, Rs30 million for stationery, and Rs150 million for equipment and machinery.

An additional Rs350 million is set aside for other expenditures in case the deployment of special forces is not required.

For Lahore police's security duties during the elections, an amount of Rs110 million has been released. This includes Rs98.8 million for fuel, Rs23 million for food and beverages, and Rs2.45 million for plant and machinery.

Other major cities such as Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, and Rawalpindi have also received significant funds amounting to Rs50 million, Rs55 million, Rs25 million and Rs25 million, respectively.

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Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar has emphasised the importance of welfare provisions for the personnel involved in election duty, directing comprehensive care and attention.

DIG Operations Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi stated that Lahore police was committed to ensure fool-proof security for the upcoming elections.

In a message, he issued explicit instructions to the personnel and officers of the Lahore police Operations Wing, emphasising high alertness during the election campaign.

“The strict implementation of the Election Commission's code of conduct is imperative,” the DIG Operations remarked.

He stressed that maintaining a peaceful election atmosphere is a national obligation, urging all officers and personnel to fulfill this duty diligently.

All available resources should be efficiently utilised, and security measures must be constantly updated to preserve law and order.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2024.