ITP launch new licence facility, cut fee by Rs400

Conciliatory committees to be set up in the capital to resolve minor disputes

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi on Tuesday inaugurated the facility introduced by ITP following which applicants of driving licenses might get the license on the same day. Previously, license seekers had to wait several days after clearing their driving test or they had to pay urgent fee to acquire license on the same day.

Details reveal that the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) have reduced the licence fee from Rs2,650 to Rs2,250 while, the citizens could now get their licenses on the same day without paying any urgent fee.

The minister was chief guest at ITP Headquarters on Tuesday in connection with 13th anniversary of the force. While addressing the ceremony he said that the incumbent government was committed to improving policing culture in the country and all stakeholders would be taken on board for major reforms in police affairs.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Security) Waqar Chohan, Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Farrukh Rasheed and other police officials were also present on the occasion.

"Sahiwal tragedy is condemnable and those involved in it would not be spared. After this tragedy, consultation is underway at a higher level to improve policing culture and make police a service oriented force in a real manner," the state minister said. He said that culture at police stations would be improved with focus on courteous attitude of personnel while handling public complaints. However, the minister expressed satisfaction about the performance of Islamabad police spearheaded by IGP Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar and said that the crime rate had reduced during the last few months while friendly policing culture was being promoted.

Afridi said that the data of crime rate revealed that street crime had reduced in Islamabad during the last few months. The gangs involved in various criminal activities including the murder of Islamabad police constable last month had been busted and the overall crime rate had declined, he added.

He further added that the conciliatory committees in Islamabad would be set up at the level of police stations to resolve minor disputes and bridge the gap between police and public.

To a question, the minister said that Islamabad police ensured an effective crackdown against drug peddlers with the commitment to make the capital a drug free city. He said that activities of the land mafia had been curbed by police through strict action against them and no one would be spared in the operation against those illegally occupying the properties of others.

He said those involved in occupying 33,000 kanals of land of two mouzas in Islamabad would have to face action as per law. The state minister said that the issue of vacating cricket grounds in Islamabad would be resolved soon as a meeting of all stakeholders had been called at his office in this regard.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP) 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2019.