Pindi’s decade-old joint check posts abolished

Officials say entry points will be monitored via CCTV cameras

RAWALPINDI:

It has been decided to abolish the joint check posts established at the entry and exit points of the city and cantonment a decade ago.

The traffic coming from other cities was monitored at these check posts and suspicious persons and heavy transport were allowed to enter the city only after a thorough search.

Sources in law enforcement agencies said that the joint check posts were established 10 years ago on the entry and exit routes of Rawalpindi city and cantonment. “It has now been decided to abolish these check posts,” they said.

The posts which are to be abolished with immediate effect include the joint check posts at Islamabad Koral Chowk to Airport Road, Mogah, Peshawar Road, and Kahuta Road.

The joint check posts were established a decade ago in the garrison city to prevent the increasing incidents of terrorism.

Pakistan Army, police, civil-military intelligence and traffic police personnel were on duty for 24 hours in three shifts at these check posts.

Along with manpower, sniffer dogs, CCTV cameras, explosive scanners and other devices were also installed at these check posts.

According to sources, more than 300,000 vehicles and heavy transport enter Rawalpindi city every day.

With the abolition of joint check posts, on one hand, the traffic flow will improve in the city and on the other hand it will be easier for the citizens to enter different areas of the city without body search.

The sources said that from today the personnel posted at all the check posts of Rawalpindi will be withdrawn, however, the process of monitoring with CCTV cameras will continue.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2023.