Hazara to deploy 6,000 cops to ensure tourist ban

DIG tells officers to remain polite with people

ABBOTTABAD: More than 6,000 police personnel will be deployed across the eight districts of the Hazara division during the Eidul Fitr holidays to provide security, particularly to projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and to foreign nationals, said a spokesperson for the Hazara police on Friday.

Earlier, during a meeting on Friday, Hazara Division DIG Qazi Jamilur Rehman reviewed the security situation in the division. All the DPO’s were directed to enhance patrolling by joining hands with the health department to control the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in the region and to follow SOPs in this regard.

Apart from police regulars, he directed traffic wardens, members of the Elite Force, ex-serviceman and women’s police will be deployed to perform their duties at all entry and exit points to the district and sensitive installations.

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“No vehicles carrying tourists will be allowed to move into tourist bound areas,” he said, adding that special instructions have been issued to all DPO’s to curb aerial firing and one-wheeling on “Chand Raat”. All such violators will be booked and sent behind bars.

Further, officers were asked to increase police strength in the city’s markets, especially during peak hours to ensure the proper implementation of SOPs, including the closing time for shops and markets.

The DIG further directed police officers to deal with the public in a polite manner and that no one will be allowed to cross the limits as any excess by the police force will not be tolerated. If any member of the public violates the SOPs, they will be dealt with per the law.

DIG Rehman noted that there is a complete ban on tourists arriving in the hilly areas and that the ban should be strictly followed.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2020.