ISLAMABAD:
With general elections in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) slated for Sunday, large-scale security arrangements are being put in place, including deployment of thousands of policemen from Punjab and the federal capital.
According to officials, 150 policemen from the security wing of the Islamabad Capital Territory Police in addition to 6,000 personnel from the Punjab Police have been assigned election duty in GB. Overall, around 2,000 staff are expected to be sent to the region to ensure security during the polls.
The 150 ICT policemen selected for duty had been performing sensitive duties in the federal capital, including guarding high-profile installations and escorting foreign delegations. These staff will travel to GB on Thursday under tight security and are scheduled to return to Islamabad on June 9.
The breakdown of the ICT personnel deployed shows that 30 officials have been selected from the Special Protection Unit, five from the President’s House, 20 from the Prime Minister’s House, six from the Prime Minister’s Office, 10 from the State Department’s Security Service and another 10 from the High Security Zone.
The Security Branch of the Islamabad Police is responsible for guarding key installations including the President’s House, the Prime Minister’s House, the Parliament, the Police Lines, the Special Service Group (SSG) Lines and the District Court Complex, while providing security to foreign delegations and Chinese nationals.
Meanwhile, convoys of Punjab Police personnel have already started leaving from Rawalpindi and Lahore. These convoys are escorted by armed police officers and accompanied by Rescue 1122 ambulances to ensure safe transport to the mountainous area.
However, the installation has attracted criticism from opposition parties. PPP Secretary Information Nadeem Afzal Chan expressed concern over the presence of the Punjab Police in the UK and alleged involvement of federal and Punjab ministers in the PML-N election campaign.
Noting that the Punjab police must remember that they are operating in Gilgit-Baltistan, he warned that a “Punjab-like attitude” would not be acceptable in the sensitive region. He stressed that the local population must be treated with respect and accountability given the sensitive nature of the region.
Chan also questioned the role of the Election Commission of Pakistan and asked on what basis federal and provincial ministers were allowed to participate in election campaigns and public rallies.
