Ousting terrorism: 37th batch of G-B police completes training course

IGP demands induction of training staff, hostel for policewomen

GILGIT: The 37th batch of Gilgit-Baltistan police completed a training course on Monday, vowing to root out terrorism from society. The rigorous training was held at Police Recruitment Training College (PRTC) in Gilgit where trainees undertook various courses including commando training taught by senior instructors for months.

G-B Chief Minister Hafeezur Rahman who was the chief guest at the passing-out ceremony congratulated participants who also put on display various skills they had learnt during the course.

He praised the role of G-B police in maintaining law and order and said the police force made G-B one of the most peaceful regions in the whole South Asia. Rahman exhorted the force to keep up their efforts and remain professionally committed.

Addressing the ceremony, he also said Rs400 million was being spent on improving the police force. “In addition to skilled training, police will be equipped with all necessary equipment including bullet-proof vehicles and jackets so they are better equipped to perform their duties,” he added. Rahman said the previous government had paid little attention to the betterment of police and he was bent on avoiding
that mistake.

Earlier at the ceremony, IGP Zafar Iqbal Awan said PRTC was facing a shortage of training staff. He requested the government to allow the induction of more staff to overcome the deficiency.

He also demanded a hostel for policewomen in the college. The chief minister granted an approval for all these demands. The training was attended by at least 163 police personnel, including 30
policewomen.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2015.