Tourist police planned for federal capital

Interior minister vows to make ICT police exemplary force

ISLAMABAD:

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Tuesday that efforts were afoot to form tourist police to ensure a safe and secure environment for the visitors thronging the federal capital for recreational activities.

Addressing a news conference, he said around 240 cops will be deployed at 24 recreational spots to facilitate the tourists in the federal capital.

The minister vowed to transform the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police into an exemplary force by improving its performance.

The capital police would serve as a role model for other federating units, he added.

The minister said around eight drones would be procured for the ICT police to ensure better surveillance in the capital city.

Islamabad population had grown exponentially and existing police stations were not enough to fulfil its residents’ needs, he said while hinting at improving the force strength.

Sheikh Rashid announced that a Safe City Authority would be set up in Islamabad.

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A law would be introduced in the parliament for the issuance of various kinds of challans through safe city cameras, he added.

The minister said 25 more vehicles in the fleet of Rescue 1122 Ambulance service would be inducted to respond to emergency situations in an efficient manner.

To a query, he said a list of frontline personnel was being furnished to ensure their anti-COVID-19 vaccination at the earliest. He underlined the need for increased coordination between the police of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad for curbing the crimes in an effective manner.

Sheikh Rashid said political forces on both sides of the Line of Control should make efforts to ease tension between India and Pakistan, adding it would not work until the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. He also termed Kashmir a jugular vein of Pakistan.

To a query about the chief minister of Punjab, he said that “Usman Buzdar will not go anywhere as he enjoys the full confidence of Prime Minister Imran Khan”.

He said the multiparty alliance of the opposition, the Pakistan Democratic Movement, had collapsed, adding the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government would complete its five-year tenure.

Earlier, the Islamabad IGP apprised the minister over the functioning of safe city cameras installed at various points in the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31^st, 2021.