Three years on, Pindi still awaits drone squad

Former Punjab govt promised to provide four drone cameras in 2020

RAWALPINDI:

Despite the passing of three years, the approved project for a drone camera patrolling squad for the Rawalpindi police could not start.

The former Punjab government had promised to provide four drone cameras and training to the Rawalpindi police in November 2020.

A senior police officer, who requested not to be named, told The Express Tribune that three years ago, the previous provincial government had provided patrol vehicles equipped with modern technology and in the same year, it approved the drone patrolling project for the Rawalpindi police.

“Under the project, initially, four drones equipped with modern internet technology and HD quality cameras were to be provided to enable aerial patrolling,” he said.

The officer added that the aerial patrolling project could prove to be very beneficial, with which the drone could reach the crime scene immediately and collect video evidence.

He said the drone patrolling squads were to be launched at every police station and aerial patrolling was to be made more efficient by linking all drones to a central control room. However due to the change of governments and ensuing political conflict, this project has been delayed for three years, he added.

According to the sources, the induction of the drone patrolling squad in Rawalpindi police could be quite significant to control the law and order situation and ensure the protection of the lives and property of citizens and the government by deploying the force in a better manner in case of any encounter.

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