Security arrangements: Rs1 billion for cameras, scanner gates in Quetta

CM says will put to use modern technology for securing city

QUETTA:

Balochistan government has allocated one billion rupees for the installation of 2,500 surveillance cameras and six security gates in the Quetta Valley for improving the law and order.

The Information Technology Department of Balochistan has finalised the proposals for installing security cameras at selected areas and six scanner gates at entry and exist points of Quetta.



“We believe in using modern technology for crime control and security,” Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch told The Express Tribune. “This will help to control the law and order situation in Quetta which has witnessed series of tragic incidents in recent months,” he added.

Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani said government has hired NESPAK as consultant, which would soon invite international bids for this project. “At least Rs600 million have been allocated for each security camera and gate,” he said.

Earlier talking to the media regarding the security situation the chief minister said that the Balochistan government has already announced motorcycle mounted police force for Quetta.

The CM said that the provincial government has revised its security plan for Quetta after these incidents. “We would be the first one using such modern technology in Quetta and spending a huge amount,” he said.

Drought relief

The Balochistan government has allocated one billion rupees for the drought hit areas of the province, while two committees have been constituted to monitor the relief work, Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said on Wednesday.

One committee will have public representatives, including Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Advisor to CM on Livestock Ubaidullah Babat, while the other will have deputy commissioners of the drought hit districts, he said.

“There have been no rains in Zhob, Musa Khail, Kohlu, Barkhan and Dera Bugti which have affected the agriculture and livestock of these districts. We want to provide relief to people of these calamity hit areas,” he said speaking at a briefing by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said that Balochistan was not receiving enough rains due to global warming and climate change.

The committees would visit all the drought hit areas and make an assessment before the start of relief work. “There had been large scale corruption in Balochistan in the name of drought and natural disaster. We want a transparent process of distribution of relief that is why two separate committees were formed,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2014.