Rs160b set aside for law and order in Sindh

Allocations represent 5.8% increase from previous year

KARACHI:

The Sindh government has allocated over Rs160.84 billion in the upcoming fiscal year's budget to enhance law and order in the province.

As part of these efforts, licence plate-reading cameras will be installed at the entry and exit points of the province. The Sindh police will be equipped with modern equipment and state-of-the-art weapons. Additionally, funds have been set aside for the Crowd Management Unit (CMU) to effectively handle riots and manage angry mobs.

The allocations represent a 5.8 per cent increase from the Rs152 billion set aside in the budget for the ongoing financial year, 2022-23. Out of this amount, approximately Rs148 billion have been allocated for non-developmental expenses, while Rs12.8 billion have been allocated for development expenses.

The allocations include Rs2.79 billion earmarked for the purchase of modern surveillance equipment and advanced weapons. Additionally, Rs1.567 billion will be spent on acquiring modern cameras capable of reading vehicle number plates.

To support scientific investigations of crimes and terrorist incidents, Rs13.45 million have been allocated to make the Sindh Forensic Laboratory fully operational.

To further strengthen the Rapid Response Force and its role in controlling riots and managing angry mobs, a crowd management unit comprising 3,446 personnel will be established in the next financial year's budget. An amount of Rs80.1 million has been allocated for this purpose.

Furthermore, Rs1.55 million have been set aside in the budget for the Prison Policy Management Board, aimed at improving prison conditions. An allocation of Rs4.634 million has been made to enhance the technical capabilities of prisons.

Moreover, Rs90.40 million will be utilised for the establishment of an apex court in Mirpurkhas, following the recent establishment of the Sindh High Court, Circuit Bench, in Mirpurkhas. Additionally, Rs70.17 million will be spent on establishing new session courts, civil courts, and family courts in the Sajawal district, aiming to provide easier access to justice.

Considering the growing population in Karachi, Rs8.70 million has been allocated for the establishment of new regional offices in the Keamari, Korangi, and Sanghar districts.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2023.