ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday said that police play an important role in dealing with the security challenges faced by the country, and provision of modern equipment would enhance its performance.
Addressing a handing over ceremony of 11 armoured personnel carrier (APC) by the US to Pakistan at the National Police Academy, he said, “The role and duties of law enforcement agencies are of pivotal importance for stability and socio-economic advancement of the country.”
These APCs, provided by United States Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) section, would be distributed among Islamabad Police, Frontier Constabulary (FC) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police to improve their professional capabilities.
“Pakistan desires a broader and comprehensive partnership with the United States, beyond security and particularly in the education sector. We have to work together and show greater understanding,” the interior minister said.
On the occasion, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Ranz said, “The Pakistani police make sacrifices every day to keep their communities safe. Both in the United States and Pakistan, we depend on the police to protect our people, and we will continue to stand together with the people of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and in our commitment to security and rule of law in Pakistan.”
APVs are critical in improving police operational capacity and saving officers’ lives as they respond to threats from armed groups, including terrorists, militants, and narco-traffickers. Across Pakistan, these groups target police officers. According to the National Police Bureau, almost 6,500 police died in the line of duty in Pakistan.
The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, which funded the acquisition of the APVs, works in more than 90 countries to help combat crime and corruption; counter the narcotics trade; improve police institutions; promote court systems that are fair and accountable.