Peshawar police decline responsibility for election candidate security

The Peshawar police have opted out of providing security for election candidates leading up to the 2024 general elections, according to a report by a private TV channel.

Instead, the police have recommended that candidates from various political parties consider hiring private security personnel from security companies.

The decision comes as a result of the police’s shortage of additional security personnel, as they are committed to deploying officers at polling stations during the upcoming election. However, it has been assured that the police will still offer security for corner meetings and public rallies organized by candidates as part of their election campaigns.

This move follows the release of a list by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) highlighting political figures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) who have received threats ahead of the general election in 2024. The CTD reports that 15 politicians from KP, including prominent figures like MNA Mohsin Dawar, ex-provincial minister Imtiaz Qureshi, Senator Hidayatullah, former PML-N MNA Amir Maqam, former PTI MNA Pir Mansoor Shah, and Shah Muhammad, have received threats from terrorists. Other notable names on the list include JUI-F’s Malik Adnan Wazir and Ehsanullah, Senator Bakhti Afsar, and Senator Maulana Abdur Rasheed.

The backdrop of these security concerns is marked by recent violent incidents, including three separate incidents resulting in six fatalities and 13 injuries. These incidents occurred in Balochistan’s Sibi, Quetta, and Chaman, as well as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district within a single day.

The violence began in Sibi with a blast near a political party’s rally on Jinnah Road, resulting in four deaths and five injuries. The explosive material was reportedly planted in a motorcycle. Law enforcement has taken measures, cordoning off the area and calling in a bomb disposal squad.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has categorized approximately 50% of the total polling stations across the country as either ‘sensitive’ or ‘most sensitive.’ Out of a total of 90,675 polling stations, 46,065 have been deemed to have heightened security concerns, according to ECP sources.