- Documents show over 1,255 positions of constables vacant
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Capital Territory Police has been understaffed for the past many years due to the failure of the previous governments to make new hiring and delays in the announcement of the vacancies.
At present, more than 1,255 positions of constables alone lie vacant for the past many years, according to documents. Out of total sanctioned strength 7887, at present 6532 constables are serving in various formation including Traffic Division, Special Branch, Operations Division, Logistics Division, Security Division, counterterrorism force, and Crime Investigation Department.
The lion’s share of these constables – 2028 constables in all – are working in the Security Division. Although not that stark but the capital police suffers from personal shortage on all levels from constables up till the inspectors. About 49 posts of the head constables are lying vacant along with 30 posts of the assistant sub inspectors.
Whereas 16 positions of the sub-inspectors and eight positions of the inspectors lie vacant. At present, the sanctioned strength of the inspectors in the Capital Police is 163, whereas 155 inspectors are present and deputed in various formations. On the other hand, against the total sanctioned strength of 499 sub inspectors, 483 are present and performing duties in various formations.
As the statistics show that there is no shortage of the inspectors in the capital police, yet the same sub-inspectors and inspectors are routed again and again and given charge and have been occupying the same seats for the past many years.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Additional Inspector General (AIG) Operations Abdul Qadir Qamar said that about 1300 new vacancies would be filled as the process of recruitment will be started very soon. He said that the police have applied for NOC from the Ministry of Interior and was all set to start the process.
In recent months, there is a marked decrease in incidents of terrorism. However, of late street crime in adjacent localities and housing societies has been on the rise. Also, the incidents of drug paddling, car theft and mobile snatching demand a more proactive, well-staffed and well-equipped police force.
