PHOTO: FILE
This was disclosed by Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) Chief Operating Officer Akbar Nasir Khan as he chaired the Pre-bidding Public-Private Partnership Conference at Punjab Safe Cities Authority Headquarters in Qurban Lines on Tuesday. The event was attended by ten international and 13 local companies, including Nokia, Huawei, Motorola, NRTC, Mega Plus, ZTE and PTCL. Speaking on the occasion, Nasir said that the public-private partnership will set in motion the establishment of three similar Safe City projects.
The PSCA COO briefed the participants on the scope of the proposed projects, whereas Planning and Development department member Agha Waqar shared a confidence-building insight with the stakeholders. CAO PSCA Kamran Khan and CFO PSCA Nisar Cheema described the various promising aspects of this cooperation.
Meanwhile, responding to a few media reports about the uncertainty of the funding to Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) and future projects, Chief Operating Officer PSCA Akbar Nasir Khan clarified that there was no current or proposed suspension of government money for the projects.
He explained that the authority enjoyed the full confidence and patronage of the current government thanks to similar projects announced for cities such as Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Nankana and Sheikhupura by CM Punjab. He said these safe cities would be established as a continuation of expansion of the PSCA across Punjab.
“It is commendable that the government is executing a self-sufficiency policy indiscriminately. However, the Safe City Project, after completion, will fully rely on the Punjab government budget as all expenses, including salaries and wages, will be borne by the province on a whole,” he said. He claimed that PSCA is instrumental in achieving intelligent traffic management, environmental protection, law enforcement, fund generation and sustenance.
Meanwhile, the PSCA issued law and order statistics for the month of January 2019. The figures were launched with the help of Punjab Police Integrated Command, Control and Communication Centre's (PPIC3) Performance Review
The authority’s Operations Monitoring Centre secured more than 28,717 observations that warranted interception of more than 106 suspicious persons by PRU and Dolphin Squad and a thorough probing of 4,354 suspicious vehicles. A total of 2,992 vehicles and motor bikes were spotted and intercepted for having no or non-standard number plates and action was taken duly by the ground units thereof. More than 59 rallies and protests were monitored and security measures were ensured, according to PSCA standards.
The 15 Emergency Helpline received 352,653 calls, out of which 219,432 calls were considered hoaxes and on approximately 40,598 calls, with genuine concerns, the Dispatch Control Center (DCC) generated cases for further action. At least 30,195 of the calls received sought for information, consultancy, traffic management or CTP help. The Media Monitoring Centre continued its campaign regarding road safety, e-challanning and efficient use of 15 emergency helpline.
PPIC3 center served Electronic Data Evidence Acquisition requests initiated by Punjab Police and other LEAs by releasing data pertaining to more than 203 heinous crime cases, in addition to showing playback footage to Investigation Officers in 642 instances. PSCA extended its services in 1,382 cases pertaining to rescue and 1,956 cases pertaining to traffic queries and emergency calls. The PSCA Public Safety app also set its mark high this month, thereby contributing to the recovery of nine missing persons, two Cars, 110 motor bikes and 11 rickshaws through its Lost & Found centre. The Dispatch Control Centre supported citizens in 40,598 cases through ground teams.
The PSCA spokesperson said the authority was diligently playing its part in enhancing road-sense by displaying directives and situational messages on its Variable Messaging Service (VMS) displayed on LCDs across all major roads of the metropolis. PSCA has initiated a crackdown in coordination with Punjab Police and CTP against illegal and NCP vehicles or those with fake number plates. He said that PSCA is determined to extend its services and cooperation with LEAs, and all others in need, whenever required. Citizens are requested to contact 15 helpline in case of any emergency or to report an illegal activity in the city.
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