Murree gets two more police stations
PHOTO: FILE
The Punjab Police Inspector-General has issued a notification for setting up two more stations in Murree
The notification regarding the Pahgwari Police Station and Patriata New Murree Police Station was issued on Wednesday.
Funds worth Rs158 million have also been allocated for running the affairs of these police stations. Funds will be used for the purchase of vehicles, motorcycles, equipment etc for the new police stations.
In each police station, there will be one inspector, eight sub-inspectors, eight assistant sub-inspectors, 10 head constables, 60 constables, two lady constables, two drivers and one sanitary worker, and a gardener.
A total of 96 officials will be deployed in the three police stations of Murree. The senior superintendent of police will have a separate office and staff while the deputy superintendent of police will also have a separate office and staff.
Jurisdictions of these three police stations have also been demarcated and regular boundary maps have also been approved. PTI MNA from Murree Sadaqat Ali Abbasi said that the appointment of the senior superintendent of police will be completed after the up-gradation of Murree district. In the second phase, he said, an additional deputy commissioner will be appointed in Murree.
Timber smuggling bid foiled
Meanwhile, Murree police have foiled an attempt to smuggle timber worth millions of rupees.
The timber had been cut down from the forest adjacent to Lower Topa and was being smuggled before the police foiled it.
The ring leader of timber smugglers and his associates fled into the jungle after they were intercepted leaving behind the vehicle.
The police, however, arrested the driver, identified as Tanveer. The smuggling of timber from Murree forests is commonplace with the alleged connivance of forest department officials. If a person is caught red-handed, the forest department slaps no or minimal fine on him.
Locals said that if illegal logging continued, the forests of Murree will be destroyed. They said that there is no point in planting saplings if the forests cannot be protected.
They demanded that illegal logging of trees be stopped and protection of forests must be ensured. The City Traffic Police (CTP) have deployed additional personnel for the safety and convenience of tourists following the heavy snowfall forecast in Murree conveyed by the Meteorological Department and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) from February 22 to Friday (tomorrow).
Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2022.