Police dept seeks Rs1.7b for renovation

The cost of all 82 police stations was estimated to be around Rs6.43 billion

LAHORE: Punjab Police have asked for disbursement of over Rs1.7 billion for the renovation of 45 police stations across Punjab.

At least 11 out of 45 are part of a scheme of 82 police stations that were supposed to be constructed in two years. The cost of all these 82 police stations was estimated to be around Rs6.43 billion. So far Rs2.80 billion has been issued. The rest of the amount is needed to complete 37 police stations that are supposed to be completed this year.

In this regard, the Additional IG Welfare and Finance has written to the Punjab government. Besides, other challenges faced by police, lack of proper infrastructure especially the police station buildings in dilapidated conditions is a serious issue. A large number of police stations including the ones in the provincial capital have been established either in rented buildings or in a dilapidated structure.

The rented buildings had space issues and caused hindrance in the performance of work in a proficient manner. The old and dilapidated buildings also served as a hindrance to a better work environment.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2020.