Precautionary steps: By-election security plan finalised

BHAKKAR: A security plan for the by-election in PP-48 Bhakkar on November 29 has been finalised, DPO Shakir Hussain Dawar said on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference, Dawar said more than 300 policemen would be deployed at polling stations. He said displaying arms in public on the day was prohibited. He said those found flouting the order would be prosecuted. He said 144 polling stations had been set up. Of these, 14 polling stations had been declared sensitive and put in Category A. As many as 35 polling stations were put in Category B and 95 in Category C. The DPO said 355 polling booths had been set up - 202 for men and 153 for women. He said walkthrough gates had been installed at polling stations. He urged political parties to show restraint while the polls were being conducted. Pakistan Awami Tehreek has fielded Malik Nazar Abbas Kahawar as its candidate. The seat fell vacant after the death of Najeeb Ullah Khan Niazi, a cousin of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who won the 2013 election as an independent candidate but later joined the PML-N.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2014.