It would have been appropriate for the decision-makers to take the residents of the city into confidence over how many terrorists or even those violating the law have been arrested by the police deputed at the checkposts so far. But one thing is for sure that the concrete blocks and barriers have helped a lot many in improving the skills of drivers, for whom the zigzag driving is no more an issue. Currently, there are more than 70 police pickets erected in various arteries of the city, which have become a permanent source of inconvenience for the motorists, who have to wait in long queues and pass through the crisscross at the city’s roads.
“Police pickets spread across the city are a futile exercise and a nuisance for the people. If these posts are so vital for security purposes, more than 700 cars could not have been stolen from the federal capital in 2011 and the terrorists would have been able to strike in the city,” said Usman Khan, the student of a local college. These pickets not only are proving a headache for the commuters but also causing damage to the roads, as police force motorists at many points to use one traffic lane, thus reducing the life of the roads with heavy traffic load.
The issue was taken up in the parliamentary bodies, but the police high-ups always pleaded that removing pickets meant inviting the terrorists.
Commenting on the issue, a motorist, Furqan Mughal, said one could understand the logic behind pickets at entry and exit points, but their large number within the city was beyond the understanding.
Expressway is one of the most affected roads of the city, as it holds the largest number of cement blocks and barriers. One of them is near Faizabad, while there are another two at Zero point and Faisal Morr.Almost every road of the city is witnessing a rising number of pickets. On the other hand, some police officials deployed at pickets are harassing the motorists by demanding bribes. A senior police official, on the condition of not to be named, said there were a number of cases when policemen were alleged of taking bribes at pickets.
He said during last year, officials deployed near Islamabad Club maltreated and took bribe from a couple. The couple approached the Secretariat Police Station against the said officials. Later on, the guilty police officials were taken to task.
Recalling another incident, the police officer said some months ago, a taxi driver lodged a complaint with Aabpara Police Station against some cops deployed near the Poly Clinic. It is relevant to note here that some officials deployed at IJP Road’s pickets have become habitual to receive money from the trucks and buses plying on intercity routes at late night. In another case, a truck was allowed a truck to enter the Red Zone area after getting bribe. The Red Zone houses sensitive installation such as Diplomatic Enclave, Parliament House and Supreme Court.
The incident came into limelight on January 11, when a superintendent of police (SP) spotted a truck heading towards the Red Zone. He chased the vehicle and managed to stop it at Margalla Road. During the inquiry, it was revealed that truck driver did not have a permit or entry pass to enter into city, but he crossed all picket while “gratifying” the police.
During the visits to some pickets and holding conversation with motorists on the issue, Pakistan Today observed that these pickets were a constant annoyance for the people. “Dozens of pickets were established after the Marriot blast, when the militants were carrying out suicide attacks across the country. Now with the blessing of God, peace is almost restored in the city; therefore, there is no more justification of a huge number of barricades and pickets at every road. Police should enhance intelligence rather than depending on cement blocks,” said Nazir Ali, a motorist. Talking to Pakistan Today, a spokesman of Islamabad Police on Sunday defended police high-ups’ decision of establishing 72 pickets at the city roads. When asked, more than 700 vehicles were stolen from Islamabad only in 2011 and not a single high-profile terrorist was arrested from pickets, he said, “Let me make it clear, if such a huge number of vehicles were stolen, we also recovered a large number of vehicles during search at pickets. As for as arrests of terrorists is concerned, we captured a number of militants from these pickets,” he claimed.
