Rangers would be deputed at highly sensitive polling stations for ensuring peace: CM Punjab

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting here today which reviewed the steps taken for maintenance of law and order in the second phase of local bodies elections in the province.

The meeting decided to depute Rangers at highly sensitive polling stations on the elections day for ensuring peace.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister directed that peaceful conduct of second phase of local bodies elections in 12 districts of the province should be ensured at any cost and police and administration should perform their duties efficiently in this regard. He said that police will have to play an active role for the implementation of the law.

He said that the holding of the second phase of local bodies’ elections in a peaceful atmosphere is a national obligation and it is prime responsibility of police and administration to ensure supremacy of law and justice. He said that police and administrative officers should utilize all their energies for maintaining law and order on the polling day and security measures should be taken in advance for ensuring peace.

He said that those resorting to firing to celebrate victory in election should be in jail and police should deal with such elements with an iron hand. He said that no one can be permitted to take the law in his hands and all citizens are equal before the law. He said that no compromise will be made in the implementation of law.

The Chief Minister further directed that ban on display and carrying of weapons should be strictly implemented and indiscriminate action should also be taken against carrying of licensed weapons as strict implementation of the law in this regard is essential for maintaining peace.

The Chief Minister said that licensed weapons of the candidates contesting local bodies elections should be got deposited in the police stations and licenses of such local bodies candidates who do not deposit their weapons should be cancelled. He further directed that ban on taking out of processions or rallies and aerial firing to celebrate victory should be strictly implemented and in case of violation, action should be taken irrespective of political affiliation of the candidate. He directed that the security plan evolved for this purpose should be strictly implemented and no effort should be spared for the conduct of second phase of local bodies elections in a peaceful atmosphere.

The Chief Minister said that effective implementation of foolproof security arrangements should be ensured for maintaining law and order in the second phase of local bodies’ elections and warned that violation of law will not be tolerated. He said that administrative and police officers showing good performance will be encouraged. He further directed that proper arrangements should be made for supply of food to the police officers and staff performing duties on the polling day. He said that the cabinet committee should monitor the measures for the implementation of the security plan. He said that a vigorous crackdown should be launched against miscreants.

The meeting was informed that the ban on display and carrying of weapons imposed in the province under Section 144 will also apply to licensed weapons. He said that there is also a ban on taking out of rallies and processions and aerial firing for celebrating victory. He said that there will be restriction on the gathering of five or more than five persons near polling stations in the second phase of local bodies’ elections in 12 districts and on the polling day five or more than five persons will not be allowed to gather within a limit of 300 meters around polling stations.

The meeting reviewed the measures regarding law and order for the second phase of local bodies’ elections. Secretary Home and Inspector General Police gave a detailed briefing on security arrangements.

Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah, Members National Assembly Hamza Shehbaz, Pervaiz Malik, Special Assistant Rana Maqbool Ahmad, Members Provincial Assembly Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Manshaullah Butt, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police, Secretary Home and senior officers of law enforcement agencies were present on the occasion.