Security code of conduct for elections released
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—Federal government on Tuesday issued security code of conduct for the general election 2008 and urged all political parties to obey the code in letter and spirit..
The code of conduct was released by Interior minister spokesman Brig (retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema in a press conference on Tuesday. The Spokesperson said that the Ministry of Interior had drawn up a code of conduct for political activities in keeping with the threats posed by extremists and terrorists and sent it to all the political parties.
He said that the Interior Ministry has also sent a copy of the code of conduct to the Election Commission for obtaining consensus of the political parties. He reiterated that the Government does not in any manner want be impede political activities but is has to take all necessary measures to minimize the threat posed by extremist forces. According to the code of conduct Processions/rallies may be banned. Only gatherings may be allowed at specified places. All provincial Governments and District Administration should notify such places.
Organisers must get NOC from respective provincial Governments so that security arrangements may be tied up to avoid any untoward incident. Overall responsibility/Command of Security rest with Administration/LEAs and not with private Security of political Parties. Pre-Event engagement by Provincial Governments/District Administration with all stake holders should be ensured and an agreed code of conduct worked out.
Political Parties should nominate their own focal persons responsible for security to interact with the Administration at the Federal and Provincial Levels. Any violation of Code of Conduct would be at the political Parties own risk. Provincial Governments would ensure even playing field for all political parties. Political Leadership should not expose itself unnecessarily for a longer period of time.
Movement of Political Leadership should be well coordinated, ensuring foolproof security for them, according to the code of conduct. The Spokesperson of the Interior Ministry, Brig (retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema has said that with the completion of filing of nomination papers for the forthcoming general elections, another important phase of the election process has come to an end. The Spokesperson of the Interior Ministry said that it is heartening to note that a very large number of candidates including leadership of almost all political parties have filed their nomination papers.
Expressing hope that all political parties would whole heartedly participate in the electoral process which would ensure smooth transition to full democracy, the Spokesperson said that the Government on its part is trying its best to provide the most conducive environment for conduct of free, fair and transparent elections.
The Spokesperson said that out of the remaining 37 detainees, 5 are detained under maintenance of public order (MPO) and remaining 32 were booked under charges other than MPO.
Commenting on the two cowardly terrorist acts of suicide bombings in Rawalpindi on Saturday, the Spokesperson of the Interior Ministry said that the Law Enforcement Agencies have been asked to accelerate the process of investigations, apprehended the culprits behind these heinous acts of terrorism.