Traffic wardens: Promotions summary sent to IG

In the first phase, 25 traffic wardens will be promoted to inspectors

RAWALPINDI: Around 25 traffic wardens could soon be promoted to the rank of inspector as a summary in this regard has been sent to the inspector general of the Punjab Police (IG) for approval.

A senior police official said that a total of 1,320 traffic wardens were working in Rawalpindi city, none of whom have been promoted since they were inducted in 2006.

“Over 130 traffic wardens resigned in the recent past after failing to be granted promotions despite holding masters degrees,” said the official, adding that in the first phase, 100 wardens will be promoted and a summary regarding 25 wardens has already been sent to Punjab IG for approval.

“The remaining officers would be promoted in the second phase,” said the official.

He said that there are currently 100 vacant posts for inspectors, which are being filled by officials from other districts. “The vacant positions will be filled once the wardens are promoted.”

“It is a positive sign that the government has decided to promote wardens,” said Sajid Gill, a traffic warden deputed in Faizabad, adding that the lack of promotion prospects was demoralising for them.

During the tenure of the PML-Q government, around 6,850 “educated” traffic wardens were recruited in 2006 for five big cities of Punjab including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Multan in a bid to ‘remodel the traffic police on modern lines’.

CTO Shoaib Khurram Janbaz confirmed the move and said the process would be completed soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2014.