Improved security: Rs350m for police vehicles released

LAHORE: The provincial government has approved the Punjab Police’s proposal to purchase 62 armoured vehicles. The government has released Rs350 million for the first phase in which 20 armoured vehicles will be purchased. The vehicles will be purchased in three phases and are expected to cost Rs1.085 billion. A senior police official said each vehicle would cost Rs17.5 million. An official of the Home Department said the funds would be provided from the Rs5 billion allocated to maintain law and order and deal with emergency situations. Operations DIG Dr Haider said securing the lives of police officials was of utmost importance. He said they faced constant threats from militant outfits in the line of duty, especially the implementation of the National Action Plan. He said the threats had multiplied in the aftermath of the Peshawar school attack. “The armoured vehicles will help them feel more secure when travelling to sensitive locations,” he said. Dr Ashraf said this would help boost police officials’ morale.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12^th, 2015.