Traders seek police intervention in preventing crimes

Police chief assures of making Safe City project fully operational by May-end

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi police chief on Saturday assured the businessmen of making the Safe City project fully operational by the end of May. 

The assurance came at a meeting between Regional Police Officer Babar Sarfraz Apla and the members of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) at the chamber’s premises.

The business community expressed their concerns over an increasing number of robberies, especially motorcycle snatching, thefts and street crimes and demanded to enhance policemen for patrolling.

The RPO assured to call a joint meeting of police officers and business representatives after Eid and to make the Safe City project fully operational by the end of May.

RCCI President and Rawalpindi Waste Management Company Chairman Saqib Rafiq along with group leader Sohail Altaf expressed deep concerns over the rising crime incidents with the traders.

Rafiq said that Rawalpindi city has become congested due to expansion and migration. “We need additional police force and police stations”.

The RPO assured the business community that his office is always available to resolve issues and that the Safe City project would help curb car and motorcycle hijacking, street crimes and robbery.

Apla acknowledged that law and order carried much importance for the promotion of business activities and investment in the district, saying collective and joint efforts were needed to maintain law and order.

He also appreciated the recommendations of the business community to deal with encroachments and traffic woes in the city, saying a joint meeting would be held after Eid in this regard. The RPO also welcomed the proposal of the Police Trader Coordination Committees at police stations and said that this would help resolve alternative disputes.

RCCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Hamza Sarwish, RCCI members, President Anjuman Tajran Rawalpindi Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, President Rawalpindi Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industries/ VPFPCCI Tariq Jadoon and others attended the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th, 2024.