KP govt issues SOPs for electioneering

PESHAWAR: The KP government on Sunday issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all political parties for electioneering to address the security concerns.

It was learnt that Additional Chief Secretary- Home Abid Majeed chaired a meeting of the Provincial Intelligence Coordination Committee (PICC) at the Home Department.

Adovocate general, senior cops, deputy commissioners and other administrative officials attended the meeting.

The law and order situation in the province along with security threats was discussed threadbare.

It was noted that there were serious security threats, adding some politicians and political parties were facing extreme dangers.

The officials said Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam was on the top as far as threats were concerned. It was followed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Awami National Party.

The officials said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was facing threats due to its anti-establishment narrative.

The documents and reports suggested that the outlawed organisations may benefit from the situation and hence the need to develp and issue the SOPs.

In the light of the SOPs issued, political parties will have to file application with the district application nine days before the planned public meetings

The parties will have to inform the district administration in advance about the objectives of the corner meetings, public meetings or conventions along with the venues.

The local leadership of the political parties will have to submit undertakings that they will not block roads or streets and not disrupt traffic flow.

The use of loudspeakers will be banned at places of worship, hospitals and educational institutions.

There will be no speeches against the state and the state institutions at the corner/ public meetings. No posters or banners will be displayed at the public buildings.

The permission to hold public meetings or conventions would be linked to the approval by the law enforcement agencies.

The police will process the application for the public meeting in four days. The DCs will take as much time for the purpose.

Legal action will be taken against all those found violating the SOPs.

All political parties were informed about the SOPs so that they could prepare a line of action accordingly.