Railways police poised to get pay scale upgrade

3,000 vacancies to be filled in three phases, including ASIs who will be recruited through FPSC

LAHORE:

For the first time in the country’s history, the government has decided to upgrade the pay scale of Pakistan Railways police personnel.

According to the new recruitment structure, constables will now be recruited in BS-7, head constables in BS-9, assistant sub-inspectors (ASI) in BS-11, while departmental head constables will be recruited in BS-7.

Moreover, the ASIs will now be recruited through the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC). Previously, they were recruited through departmental tests and physical exams. However, now the written exams would be waived once they pass through the FPSC.

The government has taken this decision to remove disparity between officials of different departments. It is worth noting here that constables in other police departments had better pay scales than their railways counterparts.

This move would not only bring them on a par with one another but better pay structures would help ensure professionalism in the department. Moreover, the condition for recruiting ASIs through FPSC enhances the recruitment process as competitive exams are likely to bring forth qualified individuals.

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The department is set to reach out to the Establishment Division in this regard, and once approved, the recruitment process would officially commence.

To resolve the longstanding issue of vacant positions within the department, Railways Police Inspector General (IG) Faisal Shahkar has decided to recruit 3,000 personnel from eight divisions across the country. This recruitment would be done in three phases.

In the first phase, which may commence in March following the Establish Division’s approval, the department will recruit 800 personnel from across the country. 79 of these will be ASIs recruited through FPSC. While, the remaining 721 would be constables recruited from eight divisions, including Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Sukkur.

The posts will be advertised and applications from aspirants will be welcomed from the next month. The superintendents of police (SP) will be required to conduct the written examination and physical tests of those aspiring to become constables in the Railways Police. On the other hand, those aiming to become ASIs would only undergo physical tests after clearing their exams through the FPSC.

The inspector general is confident that this move will make the recruitment process more transparent, and once the three phases are completed, the issue of longstanding vacancies will finally come to an end.