- All districts of Karachi designated as ‘high-risk’
- Security forces to enhance measures, intensify random checks
- Police instructed to ensure seamless coordination with other agencies
KARACHI: Given the increasing security concerns leading up to the general elections on February 8, key figures from the provincial security and administrative structure gathered on Thursday to assess the law and order situation in Sindh.
The meeting, which included the Inspector General of Sindh Police, Provincial Election Commissioner, Additional IGP Karachi, Special Secretary of the Home Department, Secretary of Services and General Administration, Commissioner of Karachi, and senior officials from the police, Rangers, and intelligence agencies, was convened amid a series of violent incidents in the province. One such incident involved the death of a political activist in a clash in Karachi, raising apprehensions about the forthcoming polls.
“The meeting attendees assessed the law and order situation in Karachi, with a specific focus on the security arrangements for the upcoming general elections,” stated a spokesperson.
The participants conducted a comprehensive evaluation of measures taken to ensure security during the polls and endorsed a corresponding strategy.
Informed sources indicated that the designation of all districts in Karachi as ‘sensitive’ was based on a ‘history of violence’ involving the PPP, ANP, MQM, and PML-N, along with potential threats to the upcoming general elections.
It was decided that both the paramilitary force and the police would intensify snap-checking, ensuring security at exit and entry points, and conducting flag marches. The Rangers’ quick response force would be deployed.
The participants pledged to implement the code of conduct prepared by the Election Commission of Pakistan, and strict action would be taken against those violating it.
In another security-related development, Additional IGP Karachi Khadim Hussain Rind issued a ‘high-security alert’ on Thursday in response to bomb blasts in Balochistan, directing the police to remain vigilant.
He instructed the police to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies and take effective measures for patrolling, picketing, ‘hold-ups,’ and random snap checking.
Officials mentioned that five districts in the province — Khairpur, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, and Tando Allahyar — had been labeled as sensitive due to a history of violence involving the PPP, GDA, and MQM.
Out of a total of 19,236 polling stations for 191 seats in the national and provincial assemblies (61 national and 130 provincial seats), 4,430 polling stations were categorized as ‘highly sensitive,’ and 8,020 as ‘sensitive.’ A total of 6,776 polling stations were designated as ‘normal’ across Sindh.
The high-level meeting followed several incidents in Karachi, including clashes between workers of contesting parties that resulted in the death of one activist.
On January 21, a PTI candidate and workers came under attack while engaged in Quran khwani in Azizabad. The same day, a PPP election office in North Nazimabad was attacked, where party workers had gathered for the campaign.
Both PTI and PPP accused the MQM-Pakistan of attacking their respective offices, leading to clashes and FIRs against alleged party workers. However, violence continued in district Central, resulting in a fatal clash between MQM-P and PPP workers in Nazimabad.
The incident led to the death of an MQM-P activist, triggering a violent protest with arson attacks. Another PPP worker was shot and wounded.
While a PTI rally in Clifton last Sunday was not directly linked to clashes, concerns over law and order arose as the Teen Talwar traffic intersection became a battleground. Police used tear gas and baton-charged PTI activists, who had gathered there for an election rally.
The police claimed that PTI did not obtain permission for the rally in the so-called ‘red zone.’ PTI argued that its constitutional right to electioneer was being denied while other parties freely held rallies and public meetings in the metropolis.
