Implementing old law: VIPs to dig into their own pockets to pay police guards

Police department issues notification to implement rule already on the books.

KARACHI:

After enjoying police security for free, VIPs will now have to reach into their own pockets if they wish to retain police personnel for their personal security, The Express Tribune has learnt.

The VIPs will be paying the salaries and other allowances of the policemen who are performing duties as their security guards, according to a department notification. These officials will be paying past dues as well since the rules already made it mandatory for the VIPs to take care of these expenses.

“Of course, they should pay,” Sindh IGP Shahid Nadeem Baloch told The Express Tribune. “We have issued notices to them and asked them to pay the salaries and other allowances of the policemen.”



The total police force in the city comprises 25,000 policemen who are working in two shifts. Of these, around 8,000 policemen are deployed on the security duties of VIPs, which has created a shortage of personnel available to manage law and order.

Nearly 85 per cent of the Sindh police budget is allocated for employees-related expenses each year, and almost Rs120 million are spent every month on the security of senior officials, legislators and other VIPs from the regular budget of the Sindh police. With police guards, around 250 vehicles of the police are completely occupied for VIP security and the maintenance of these vehicles is then an added burden.

According to an official, the police deployment is not only for the VIPs but it often extends to their houses, children and even extended relatives. “Interestingly, a majority of them are not adopting the legal procedure,” admitted a senior police officer privy to the matter, but he refused to share his name. “Now it has become a trend.”

The officer said that they cannot refuse security to any VIP as they are influential. “If we refuse, we fear they will suspend us or transfer us to other stations,” he said. “No individual police officer has the courage to refuse a VIP so I’m happy the department has taken this step.”

As per the rules, security is provided to those VIPs who are facing serious threats and have been attacked earlier. To obtain security, they should first write an application to the police authorities, informing them of the reasons. Then the police department would forward the application to the home department for approval. The final decision rests with the home department.



Retired army men to join

For the first time, the government of Sindh has also decided to recruit retired men from the armed forces in the police force. The government took the initiative following Sindh police recommendations to combat terrorism, especially in Karachi. In the first phase, 2,000 retired army soldiers are being recruited but more recruitments will be made in the second phase.

“This is a good news as this initiative will help the police force combat terrorism and crime,” said city police chief AIG Ghulam Qadir Thebu, while talking to The Express Tribune. “These army soldiers will also be deputed for security duties as gunmen by replacing local police, who are performing guard duties.”

Thebu further said that the policemen withdrawn from VIP-duties and other installations would also be added to the police force, adding that there is a relaxation for retired army soldiers about their age. “As terrorism is on rise in the city, we decided to recruit the already trained people in the police force,” said Thebu. “By recruiting them in the police force, we will not have to spend one year on their training and they would directly be deputed as security guards.”

This is good news for the retired soldiers as well. “I could not continue in the Pakistan army due to some reasons,” said Abdul Khalique, who applied to the police force. “Earlier, I also tried to serve in the police department but was limited by a quota. I am hopeful that I will qualify now.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2013.