Stay safe: Security mapped out for Peshawar, Swat districts

Extra police officials deployed to maintain law and order, Rescue 1122 on alert

MINGORA/ PESHAWAR:

A series of arrangements have been made to ensure security in Peshawar and Swat during Eidul Fitr.

Insiders familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune on Thursday at least 2,000 extra policemen have been deployed across Peshawar district to maintain law and order.

Leaves and holidays of police personnel have been cancelled. A large number of police officials have been deployed in plain clothes at various mosques in Saddar, University Town and Hayatabad where Eid prayers will be offered.

“Our security arrangements are complete,” said a police official. “In the days before Eid, a large number of police personnel were deployed at bazaars and shopping malls. Help desks were also established at shopping malls.” He added, “It is usually difficult for officials to man check posts during the day in the scorching heat and then perform their duties at bazaars and shopping malls. However, they have managed this task quite well.”

Crisis management

Rescue 1122 has also been put on alert to deal with any untoward incidents that may arise in the city.

“All eight stations will remain open during Eid holidays,” said Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Asad Ali Khan. “Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued flood warnings and we have constituted a special team of divers who are equipped with latest equipment to tackle any eventualities,” he said. “Leaves of all Rescue 1122 officials have been cancelled and all staff members have been asked to come to work during Eidul Fitr.”

IGP Nasir Durrani has banned aerial firing on Eid. According to a handout issued on Thursday, the SHO and DSP of relevant areas will be held accountable if a single gunshot is heard.

Security for tourists

Arrangements have also been made to ensure security of tourists who are likely to visit Swat Valley during Eid.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Malakand DIG Azad Khan said a traffic plan has been devised and 2,000 police officials have been deployed to facilitate tourists.

“Last year, a large number of tourists visited the valley,” he said. “We are expected a much larger turnout this year due to rising temperatures across the country.”

According to the DIG, Azad said a meeting was held with the district government earlier this week to discuss security measures in the valley.

“During the meeting, I was told suitable arrangements had been made to facilitate tourists,” he said. “This year, camps will be established to welcome them to the valley.”

Also at the meeting with the press, Swat DC Muhammad Aslam Wazir said National Highway Authority (NHA) officials have been asked to assist residents and tourists during Eid.

“NHA has been provided bulldozers to clear roads which have been blocked due to landslides in Kalam,” he said. “This will ensure safe travel and avoid traffic jams.”

According to Wazir, the district government has taken steps to ensure petrol and CNG is readily available across the district.

‘This will ensure tourists do not face any hardships,” he added.

The DC urged locals to act in accordance with the law and facilitate tourists at all costs.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2015.