- Citizens complain traffic police’s highhandedness while cops, on anonymity, confirm irregularities
In a bid to comply with instructions of the Ministry of Interior to focus on traffic flow, Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) resorted to issue hundreds of fine tickets to hapless motorists at the cost of usual courtesy and warnings on minor violations of traffic rules.
Following directions from Ministry of Interior, ITP launched the traffic disciplining drive very politely by educating citizens about traffic rules and safe driving. But then, somehow things went wrong and it said good-bye to courtesy.
As per some of the motorists, ITP has taken a harsh stand as they were handed down heavy fine tickets even on minor violations.
It seems ITP officials are not interested in educating road users any more but want to get their slick 25 per cent share on every ticket that they tear from their book.
“And if you have the nerve to argue with them, the fine amount will certainly go up for challenging authority,” a motorcyclist told this scribe.
“Instead of regulating the traffic on road, they prefer standing at the pickets along with other police officials and issue tickets recklessly and one is forced to wonder how this would help discipline the traffic flow?”
“They are not seen regulating traffic but they seem to be in a punitive mood all the time against road users. This exercise at pickets through which traffic crawls at peak hours only leads to uncalled for traffic jams and more wait for people.”
Around 25 per cent share of ITP in a fine ticket is perhaps too much of an incentive and seems to be reason behind this aggressive campaign.
The motorists can only hope that higher authority takes notice of this attitude. Officials of ITP were told at time of inception of force on January 28, 2006 to first salute a violator and then tell him about violation.
However, unfortunately, ITP’s officials have probably forgotten how to be decent and they make it a point to first snatch away keys especially from motorcycles instead of showing courtesy.
Another problem within the force is culture of nepotism. Those performing duty at ITP office were not deployed on roads for long periods due to their closeness with police high-ups.
Complaints of harsh attitude by ITP officials are common with license seekers or those visiting traffic offices for some guidance.
Reshuffling within ITP especially at driving schools and driving test authorities is critical and the chief of Islamabad Police will have to look into this matter because some blue-eyed are occupying same positions for years.
“I have been performing duty on roads for last four years in tough weather conditions. Every traffic official is supposed to be on the roads but many are only confined to offices. I also have right to perform duty at ITP office in good atmosphere because some of my colleagues being favourite of traffic high ups are never deployed on roads to brave tough working conditions like we do,” an assistant sub-inspector told while requesting not to be named.
The ITP is said to be a role model and corruption free force. However, long time postings of several officials on non-field posts have demoralized those who are forced to work on roads for years.
A senior police officer of ITP on condition of anonymity said it was the time for bringing in changes in the working of the police. He admitted that there was need for overhauling in various ITP’s sections to improve performance, adding cooperation of community was crucial to achieve long-term goals.