Law and order: Capital’s first anti-riot force on the cards
Planning Commission approves PC-1
Photo of Islamabad police. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
A specialised Anti-Riot Force (ARF) for Islamabad may soon become a reality, with the project gaining approvals as well as land from the capital’s civic agency.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Tuesday has shown willingness to handover around 100 canals to the capital’s police for the establishment of an ARF centre, adjacent to Police Lines.
The development came after the planning commission approved PC-1 of the project, which was sent by the interior ministry in June.
Under the project, nearly 1,000 police officers will be inducted in the force, said a police official. The force is only specific to counter terrorism related incidents, and will be trained by the Special Services Group of the Pakistan Army.
In January, the government decided to establish the special force, with the basic objective combat terrorist, the official explained. The existing strength of the capital police is over 10,000, however just over 3,000 personnel are in the field in practice, with remaining deputed to the security of judges, ministers and other VIPs.
Some also perform duties at the Police Lines, therefore the special force is essential, and it will have nothing to do with routine police work.
The official said that since the project has been approved, its modalities are being prepared by the administration. In first phase, 500 officers will be inducted and advertised for next month.
The official said CDA will hand over the land next month, after which the Public Works Department will begin construction on the ARF centre, with an expected completion date in 2018. The force will be equipped with tear-gas guns, 12-bore pistols, rubber bullets, water cannons, wireless sets, the official added.
The training component will also include martial art training. As many as 40 trainers will be hired for this purpose. The centre also includes an open-air gymnasium. More officers will be inducted in the next phase.
A senior official at the ministry said the idea was floated by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who believed the existing strength of the capital police was inadequate to meet the city’s policing needs.
Another senior official of the administration, who requested anonymity, told The Express Tribune there was dire need for such force in the city, as the existing force is not enough to counter terrorists while the police are busy during protests or processions. The official added that over 1,000 protests and processions are held in the capital every year.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 23rd, 2015.
A specialised Anti-Riot Force (ARF) for Islamabad may soon become a reality, with the project gaining approvals as well as land from the capital’s civic agency.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Tuesday has shown willingness to handover around 100 canals to the capital’s police for the establishment of an ARF centre, adjacent to Police Lines.
The development came after the planning commission approved PC-1 of the project, which was sent by the interior ministry in June.
Under the project, nearly 1,000 police officers will be inducted in the force, said a police official. The force is only specific to counter terrorism related incidents, and will be trained by the Special Services Group of the Pakistan Army.
In January, the government decided to establish the special force, with the basic objective combat terrorist, the official explained. The existing strength of the capital police is over 10,000, however just over 3,000 personnel are in the field in practice, with remaining deputed to the security of judges, ministers and other VIPs.
Some also perform duties at the Police Lines, therefore the special force is essential, and it will have nothing to do with routine police work.
The official said that since the project has been approved, its modalities are being prepared by the administration. In first phase, 500 officers will be inducted and advertised for next month.
The official said CDA will hand over the land next month, after which the Public Works Department will begin construction on the ARF centre, with an expected completion date in 2018. The force will be equipped with tear-gas guns, 12-bore pistols, rubber bullets, water cannons, wireless sets, the official added.
The training component will also include martial art training. As many as 40 trainers will be hired for this purpose. The centre also includes an open-air gymnasium. More officers will be inducted in the next phase.
A senior official at the ministry said the idea was floated by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who believed the existing strength of the capital police was inadequate to meet the city’s policing needs.
Another senior official of the administration, who requested anonymity, told The Express Tribune there was dire need for such force in the city, as the existing force is not enough to counter terrorists while the police are busy during protests or processions. The official added that over 1,000 protests and processions are held in the capital every year.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 23rd, 2015.