Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: As a result of lack of interest and inefficiency of the Punjab administration, Rawalpindi Police is facing up to 40 per cent shortage of personnel in as many as 30 police-stations, creating challenges for security in the district.

There are 3,000 officers and officials, under the supervision of 30 SHOs collectively in three divisions of the district for a populaton of more than four million . The police across the districts is deprived of basic needs and facilities.

The city government appointed one police personnel for the security of a population of 1500 across the district and gave a report of everything being good, while lack of resources, facilities and long hours of duty made the police personnel mental patients.

Despite the approval of more than four thousand personnel, there are 60 per cent personnel in three tehsils of Rawalpindi city consisting of Rawal, Potohar and Saddar. According to facts and figures of the three tehsils 30 police stations and 25 checkpoints have 45 vehicles and 160 government motorcycles. Due to lack of funds and improper maintenance, more than 25 vehicles including motorcycles are out of order.

It is worth mentioning here that every police station is given three to five litres of petrol every day while the motorcyclists get one litre petrol every day.

It is impossible for the personnel to perform their duties in this condition. It is the reason most SHOs have apparently issued directions that when a sub inspector is appointed he will pay for the petrol from his own pocket.

Similarly there are 25 police posts collectively working under the 14 police stations. Concerned departments have established police posts in different areas of the district owing to increase in the crime ratio. The city government has not given any attention to increase the personnel and their resources.