Transparency: Swat traffic police given spy cameras

The K-P police have a firm resolve to modernise the police department, says DIG

MINGORA: The use of modern technology by the police department is indispensable. It will help curtail the crime rate and win the confidence of the public. This was said by Malakand Division DIG Akhtar Hayat Khan.

“The K-P police have a firm resolve to modernise the police department and compete with the growing challenges it faces,” said the DIG while briefing journalists at his office in Saidu Sharif on Tuesday. The briefing was held after 72 spy cameras were handed to the Swat traffic police at a ceremony.



“Equipping the department with modern technology is aimed at solving traffic problems,” Hayat said. He added providing traffic officers (TOs) with spy cameras would help the TOs and the public equally.

“Traffic rule violators will be penalised and spy cameras will record the process, ensuring transparency,” said Hayat. He maintained strict action would be taken against the TOs if they penalised violators of traffic rules without using the spy camera.

A total of 28 cameras will be provided to the TOs of Mingora city, while 44 will be given to the TOs of the remaining six tehsils of Swat district. The move was welcomed by traffic police
and locals.

Sikandar Akhund Kheil, a traffic warden, said, “This is a good step; it will reduce the complaints that traffic rules violators come up with after being penalised.”



On the other hand, Iqbal Hussain, a resident of Mingora, was also pleased. “On many occasions, the TOs penalise drivers baselessly. This move is a sigh of relief for drivers,”
Hussain said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2016.