- Govt to check dedication, clean track record of selected young police officers
- State Minister Afridi tasks police chief to appoint fresh faces as SHO soon
ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Interior Affairs Shehryar Afridi on Monday directed Inspector General of Islamabad Police Jan Muhammad to ensure that the prime minister’s vision of an efficient and people-friendly police force is translated in reality.
According to sources, 1,000 young, energetic and trained police officials would be identified from the present lot of the officers to maintain and streamline the security system of Islamabad. In this regard, the stringent selection criteria would involve dedication, uprightness, a neat and clean track record among other factors.
It was decided that the elite force would be equipped with modern gear and weaponry and be well-trained, at par with the international standards. These physically fit and agile officers would be posted on all Islamabad routes to ensure prompt response to counter criminal activities and to maintain security of the capital.
Also, it has been decided that fresh station house officers (SHOs) would be appointed in the capital. In principle, a young lot of SHOs would be given charge of the capital police stations. It is pertinent to mention that in the past, the major problem with Islamabad Police has been lack of transfers of its personnel. It has been observed that officers in Islamabad tend to serve and retire in the same city through their “influential friends”.
During the meeting, Shehryar Afridi tasked the Islamabad Police chief to appoint fresh faces as SHO’s as soon as possible. Furthermore, IG for Traffic Police was directed to discipline the traffic of the capital which has witnessed severe blockades in the recent past. It was further decided that a ruthless SoP would be introduced where unprecedented heavy fines would be imposed on those who violate road laws.
Afridi further order modernization of the Islamabad Police in line with international standards, adding that the capital police should serve as a model for other cities to replicate.