Govt renders security advises for safety of political leaders

The government has issued security advisory for political leaders to ensure their safety and security.

Briefing newsmen here Tuesday, the Interior Ministry Spokesman Brig. Javed Iqbal Cheema (retd) said the government would provide adequate security to the political leaders but it is also incumbent upon them to play their role in taking necessary steps to ensure their own safety.

According to guidelines in the security advisory, the political leaders have been asked to maintain close liaison with provincial Home Departments and local police through nominated focal point.

They have been told to give due importance to security advise rendered by local police chief, keep provincial administration and police informed of travel plans, avoid unnecessary public exposure, keep travel plans flexible and unpredictable, plan and use different routes for traveling.

The guidelines said security clearance of personal guards and employees through local police should be ensured, gatherings, corner meetings may be used as preferred mode of electioneering and big rallies should be avoided as far as possible, however there is no ban on big rallies.

Political leaders asked to avoid unnecessary exposure during slow movement of vehicles, unidentified persons should not be allowed to get closer to the leader and personal guards, party workers detailed for security duty should be issued with security passes for recognition by local police.

To a question, the Interior Minister spokesman said Mian Nawaz Sharif is also using bullet proof and bomb proof vehicles as was being used by Benazir Bhutto. He said he is getting same security as other former Prime Ministers are getting.

Answering a question, he said general elections will be held on time on 18th of next month and the government was making efforts for holding polls in free, transparent and peaceful atmosphere.

The spokesman said foolproof security arrangements are in place throughout the country to ensure peaceful religious rites during the sacred month of Muharram.

He said all resources including troops and rangers have been mobilized to assist the law enforcing agencies for round the clock vigilance around religious places to thwart any attempts by subversive and terrorist elements to disturb peace and order.

The spokesman said most of the area in Swat has been cleared of the militants and they are hold up into a particular area. He said security forces are surrounding the militants and hoped that situation in Swat would be brought under control soon.