Speakers on Wednesday said citizens and relevant government departments should make joint efforts to strengthen urban security in order to attract foreign investment as well as promote tourism in the federal capital.
“Economic activity is mandatory for the development of a better a city but it can be ensured only through better urban security,” said CDA Chairman Imtiaz Inayat Elahi, while addressing a seminar ON ‘Urban security and the role of the citizen’, organised by the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
He said, “To promote tourism and attract foreign investment, there is a dire need to improve urban security. Islamabad is a dynamic city and it have a lot of tourists spots like Margalla Hills as well as historic buildings; therefore, we need to protect it and maintain better security in the city,” he said.
Elahi urged citizens to play their role in improving the situation.
Masood Mufti, former federal secretary, said good governance was mandatory for better urban security. “Urban security means the citizens live in their houses without any fear to their life and property which is only possible through good governance”, he said.
He said better urban security would be ensured only when state fulfilled its responsibilities. “If state provides facilities like heath, education and other basic needs, the citizen would use it for the betterment of the state,” he opined.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Muhammad Yousuf Mali maintaining urban security was a joint venture; therefore, it should not be assigned to a single department. “Provision of security to the citizen is the prime responsibility of police as they are paid for it but citizens must not forget cooperation to ensure a secure environment,” he said.
He said people should have close contact with police and inform them about suspected activities. “Only 2,700 police constables are deputed for the protection of over one million population of Islamabad,” he added.
Additional Deputy Commissioner General Ehtesham Haq said it was a responsibility of CDA to protect assets of Islamabad. “If CDA succeeds in protecting the assets of Islamabad, it will promote tourism,” he said.
Jalil Ali, a poet, urged media to educate people the issue and their rights.
