LAHORE: Police will not be deployed at rallies taken out by the Pakistan Awami Tehreek in the Punjab, Inspector General of Punjab Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera said on Sunday.
He was chairing a meeting at Police Lines, Qilla Gujjar Singh, on Sunday. He said in the event that police were called to provide security at the rallies, they would not be allowed to wield weapons openly and will only be equipped with rubber bullets.
In case of an emergency, police officials are not allowed to shoot at any one unless authorised to do so by higher-ups, he said. After reviewing the law and order situation in the city, Sukhera said the life and honour of each citizen would be protected at all cost. He said firing at innocent protesters will be expressly forbidden and the police will strictly follow standard operating procedure to avoid any untoward incident in the future.
Sukhera directed police officers to prioritise crime control and public protection. He exhorted police officers to ensure timely justice for complainants. He ordered for security to be beefed up at banks, business centres, residential colonies and other areas of strategic importance. He directed officers to work towards redefining the black shirt as a symbol of peace and security instead of intimidation.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 23rd, 2014.