Ahsan Iqbal promises reforms for capital’s police

Inaugurates service centre in Sector G-8; says will arrange training for officers

Inaugurates service centre in Sector G-8; says will arrange training for officers. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD:
The government has pledged to reform and modernise the capital’s police force under a Rs1 billion project for model police stations on priority.

This was stated by Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal while inaugurating a police service centre at the Rescue 15 offices in Sector G-8 on Tuesday afternoon.

Iqbal said that he, along with the Inspector General of Islamabad Police Sultan Azam Temuri, had undertaken the initiative to reform the department and implement a community-policing model in the capital.

“We will try to make Islamabad police a model of community policing in the country…where an SHO would not be just a police officer but also a community leader,” said Iqbal. He resolved to turn the uniform of Islamabad Police into a symbol of respect and a source of protection for citizens.

He also stressed the need for technology adoption and community’s ownership of policing.

Temuri said the service centre would bring together 12 public-related police services under one roof. These services include lodging of complaints, obtaining character certificates, vehicle verification, foreigners’ registration, issuance of learner’s driving permits and renewal of driving licences.

A ticket collection booth would also be set up in the centre soon. “These things often took weeks and sometimes months at the police station level. Now it would be completed within hours,” said the IGP.


Earlier, Iqbal attended a groundbreaking ceremony of a police facilitation centre which was being constructed in F-6 in front of Super Market.

Later while addressing a Police Darbar, he said that in an era of innovations, the police force needs to adapt to modern technologies to curb crimes. While acquiring technologies was easy, the main challenge was its appropriate use. “Using technology would definitely ensure ease in lives of citizens and further improve the performance of police,” he said.

He added that training courses for officers of the Islamabad Police would be arranged with lectures from the national and international experts on modern policing to improve the professional conduct of the police.

He directed the police department to ensure people friendly attitude and pursue zero-tolerance for all crimes including murders, robberies, violence, street crimes and crimes against women and children.

“Peace is quite important for development as oxygen is necessary for human life,” Iqbal said as he called for SHOs to set up committees at the police station-level to settle trivial matters apart from introducing a monthly rewards system for best performing officials.

“We are proud of the services and sacrifices of our police,” he added.

with additional input from APP

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2017.
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