Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister ChaudhryNisar Ali khan had given a lollipop to the police personnel of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) by approving the up-gradation of pay for them, but as a matter of fact these new pay scales were not implemented so far.

Interior Minister had announced to give up-gradation to the ranks of ASI, Head Constable and Constable of federal capital’s police, just before one day of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s protest which was to be held on November 2. Notification to this effect was also issued at that time.

But after lapse of almost two months, the low income police official did not get their pay and allowances according to the upgraded pay scales, which proved that it was only a tall claim of Interior Minister just to satisfy police officials and convince them to stop the protest of PTI. The sources said that the interior ministry had approved the summary forwarded by IG Islamabad police of enhancing pay scales for police staffers and after accorded approval it was further sent to Finance Ministry through Establishment Division for approval.

The up-gradation notification had ignited joy in the policemen as they took sigh of relief .They also chanted slogans in favour of Ch. Nisar. As it was expected, the notification had worked as a charismatic tonic which strongly motivated the policemen during that desperate situation.

According to the notification, a copy of which is available with Daily Times, pay scales of constable was to be upgraded from BPS-5 to BPS-7, head constable, who is working in BPS-7, they would be promoted to BPS-9. Similarly Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) would be moved from BPS-9 to BPS-11. As many as 10018 policemen including 7579 constables, 1423 head constables and 1079 ASIs of Islamabad police were supposed to be getting benefit from this up-gradation in pay scales.

An ASI of Islamabad Police told this scribe that Ch. Nisar had announced up-gradation of pay scales just to exploit the high spirits of policemen, PTI supporters were on fire and they were gathering up in capital territory, the interior minister take this step so that the entrusted ICT police and FC personnel could happily perform this special duty and better handle the situation.

He said that his service has entered into 34thyear, his pay scale is 09 and he is getting Rs 47,000 as salary. Newly recruited constables get Rs 27,000 salary. Normally they have to perform duty for almost 12hrs a day in addition to the special assignments that are put time to time on the orders of either interior ministry or their high-ups.

When contacted interior ministry, it was told that the up-gradation process has been completed on the end of the interior and finance ministries. Now the file is on the table of IG Islamabad Police, and if there is any delay in its implementation, IG office is responsible for it.