PHOTO: PPI
Initially, a three-day ban on pillion riding was imposed across the city as part of the security arrangements in place for the by-elections in NA-246 today. At a meeting at CM House on Wednesday, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah asked the home secretary to impose the pillion-riding ban only in the city’s district Central. Home secretary Mukhtiar Soomro told Shah that the ban was initially placed across the city on the recommendation of Karachi AIG.
“It is a working day in the city, except for district Central,” Shah pointed out. “Parents will drop children at schools, people will take their families to hospitals, railway stations and bus stands. How can I allow you to punish the entire city by imposing a ban on pillion riding in the whole city?”
Sharing plans
Meanwhile, Sindh IG Ghulam Hyder Jamali and Soomro gave a briefing on the police and Rangers’ comprehensive security plan. “There are 213 polling stations with 769 polling booths housed in 55 buildings,” said their report. West Zone DIG Captain Feroze Shah said that 770 police personnel will be deployed at the 55 buildings where polling stations are located. One SHO will control three buildings, he explained. AIG Ghulam Qadir Thebo said there will be 18 SHOs, nine DSPs and 11 SPs controlling the law and order situation.
Rangers deputy DG Brigadier Imran Munawar said they have deployed 2,622 Rangers personnel in the constituency. A total of 1,422 will be stationed inside the polling station and 1,200 will be stationed outside. Sindh chief secretary Siddique Memon told Shah that the Election Commission of Pakistan has given clear instructions to install cameras outside the booths.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2015.
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