Standing guard on Eid day

Almost a thousand officers will spend Eid standing guard at approximately ninety check posts across Islamabad.


Umer Nangiana September 11, 2010

ISLAMABAD: With many residents of the capital locking up their homes to spend Eid in their native towns, the onus of security of the properties they leave behind is on the police and other law enforcement agencies.

Although police officers were not stopped from taking leave this year, almost a thousand officers will spend Eid standing guard at approximately ninety check posts across the city.

Each year, thousands of police officers sacrifice spending time with their families for the protection of the citizens. While doing so, many are eager for the common man to recognise their service.

“Duty comes first,” said Muhammad Illyas, a police constable deployed in Blue Area. “It has been a relatively peaceful year but we cannot afford to relax security; our families understand the requirements of our jobs.”

His colleague, Ishtiaq Khan from Swabi, said, “We understand that somebody has to stay here to protect citizens. I swapped my holidays with a colleague who needed to go home to sort out some personal matters.”

Police officials said that extra vigilance is required during Eid because robbers and thieves get tempted by empty houses. “We keep a close check on the types of people entering areas within our jurisdiction during Eid holidays,” head constable, Muhammad Akram, deployed at a check post near Polyclinic in Sector G-6 said.

When asked if they would’ve gone back home had there not been so many check points, majority of the officers stated that the decision was essentially not up to them. “

“It’s the decision of our superiors, if they think it is necessary, we are ready to stay,” said  “Our senior officers including the SSP personally visit the checkpoints on Eid,” he added.

Muhammad Shabir, head constable at F-7 police station, said that those officers who are on duty on Eid are given compensatory leave later. “Nothing is better than spending time with your family on Eid, but our job is such that we have to stay here,” Muhammad Mushtaq, a police officer said.

“Last year, many families visited us and gave us flowers and sweets on Eid day, lets see if they come this year,” said Mushtaq. “It gives us courage knowing that people acknowledge our hard work,” he added.

While happy to perform their duties, police officials standing at the checkpoints observed that this Ramazan people lacked regard and common courtesy. Yet, they were hopeful that people would not forget them on Eid day.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2010.

COMMENTS (1)

Syed Nadir El-Edroos | 13 years ago | Reply Sadly, there will hardly be any sympathy or the sense of appreciation for the role they perform. The image of the police has become so bad that the relationship between society and law enforcement is of mutual suspicion rather than mutual respect.
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