‘Civilised nations adopt peaceful protest’

Former NHMP IG says it is vital to promote brotherhood and mutual tolerance


Our Correspondent November 20, 2018
PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE:  

A civilised nation always adopts a peaceful manner of protesting instead of damaging property and creating a nuisance, said former National Highways and Motorways Police (NHMP) inspector general Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema.

He expressed these views while speaking at a road safety seminar titled ‘Emergency Response in Crisis-like Situations’. The seminar was organised by NHMP. NHMP Inspector General Allah Dino Khwaja, Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer, SSP Rana Ayaz Saleem and Clinical Psychologist Nazia Bashir were some of the people who attended the seminar.

Cheema said that it is vital among institutions to promote brotherhood and mutual tolerance. He acknowledged the role of the motorway police in promoting road safety which was a fairly unknown concept before its inception, he said.

He also admired the standard of excellence and professionalism that the force showed as well as their service oriented policies.

NHMP Inspector General Allah Dino Khwaja briefed the audience on the motorway police became an icon of excellence by transforming conventional coercive policing into reformative public-friendly policing.

The inspector general also stressed on the need to identify potential areas of improvement in implementation, execution, coordination and monitoring mechanism in any crisis-like situation. He added that the motorway police did a tremendous job in the recent blockage of the national highways and motorways by facilitating users.

“The motorway police played a vital role in rescuing British nationals and Sikh pilgrims with the help of the Pakistan army during a recent countrywide protest,” he said.

On the other hand, Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer said that traffic accidents are one of the biggest causes of death in Pakistan and all institutions should play their part in lowering the number of accidents caused.

Clinical Psychologist Nazi Bashir highlighted the psychological impact of crisis situations such as vandalism, road blocks, accidents and other disasters. “Such situations cause a direct impact on the well-being of individuals,” she said.

There is a need to promote health behaviours and thinking along with training to deliver psychological first aid, she said.

Writer Amna Mufti also highlighted the psychological and emotional trauma faced by the victims of accidents. At the end of the ceremony, the chief guest distributed prizes among those NHMP officials who performed exceptionally well.

 

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