Security for traders: New strategy being thrashed out, says IGP

Traders express concern over rising kidnapping-for-ransom incidents.

ISLAMABAD:

The capital’s new police chief has assured the businessmen of foolproof security. A  new strategy is being thrashed out to address security-related issues being faced by the business community, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Sikandar Hayat said while talking to a delegation of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). The team, led by ICCI President Zafar Bakhtawari met the top cop in his office on Thursday.

The IG said that the police were working on a comprehensive strategy to improve the overall performance of the police to make the capital a ‘crime-free city’.

“Under the plan, focus is also being laid to overcome the trust deficit between the masses and the police so that the citizens could show up to police stations, when the need arises without fear to lodge cases,” he said.

The IG said that they were also working on a plan to seek a special exemption from the government to lift the ban on hiring so that more and more manpower could be inducted into the force to further improve the law and order situation.



Bakhtawari briefed the IG about the problems being faced by the traders. He said that the rising kidnapping-for-ransom incidents have created a sense of insecurity among the business community.

He said that insecurity among traders would badly affect business activities and investment prospects. He proposed the formation of a citizen-police liaison committee for better coordination between the masses and the police.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2013.