In order to protect the lives, properties and honour of citizens, police officials deployed at pickets cannot open fire in the future, unless there is an imminent threat to life to an official as per the provision of law.
Moreover, all officials deployed at pickets will be bound to adopt all possible preventive measures by using proper security equipments like bulletproof jackets with ballistic helmets, wireless sets, and barriers during picketing duties.
Inspector General of Police Punjab, Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera has formulated a new SOP for checkpoints, snap checking, raids and patrolling in the backdrop of the Rawalpindi firing incident. He further directed that no such incidents should reoccur in the future.
According to the new SOP all field officers were directed to avoid the deployment of those police officials at pickets who are trigger happy, physically sick, emotionally disturbed and not properly trained/qualified in weapon handling. They were also directed to ensure that the weapons could not be issued those who are aggressive and short-tempered behaviour.
Field officers will also be responsible under the new SOP to arrange the police darbars on regular basis in police lines to train the officials to display decency, courtesy, patience and a maximum restraint during Naka Bandies. They will also ensure that the maximum duty hours of these officials not more than eight hours. Deployment of at least 1×4 strength police officials at checkpoints/patrolling must be ensured by the officers according to the SOP.
All CCPO, RPOs, CPOs, DPOs, SPs, SDPOs and SHOs will be overall responsible for implementation of the SOP and would pay surprise visits to assess the state of preparedness and on ground follow up of the directions.
According to the new SOP all field officers will launched a comprehensive media campaign with a view to educate the public about their responsibilities as citizens and also to create awareness amongst public that these check points are placed for their security and protection.
