LAHORE - Seven, out of 20, model police stations, have started ‘work’ while others remain incomplete due to lack of funds, it has been learnt.
The progress seems to raise many questions on PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal who on December 16, 2011promised to build model police stations with the prime reason of getting rid of the Thana culture.
The first model police station was established in Vehari in August 2012. Sources say that since June 7, 2011, no development has been witnessed in the respective project as government was not releasing sufficient funds for the promise.
They said that 13 model police stations including Lower Mall, Tibi City, Misri Shah, Manawan, Baghbanpura, South Cantt, Civil Lines, Old Anarkali, Mughalpura, Gulberg, Nishtar Colony, Iqbal Town, Gulshan Ravi and Chung have been waiting for model makeovers.
Under the project, the authorities had to provide a tracker-fitted vehicle, 10 motorcycles, a security monitoring 10 CCTV cameras, electronics (two computers, a printer, a fax machine and a digital camera), a blackberry phone to the SHO, 10 investigation kits and chairs (10 revolving, 50 for visitors and 10 iron). Other than that a reception and waiting room, a lock-up and an investigation room were to be added. Also, man power was to be increased, for this, 106 FC officers, 12 head constables, 12 assistant-sub-inspectors, 8 sub-inspectors and 1 inspector, 2 vehicles, rifles, bullets and metal detectors were included.
The project also included Rs100, 000 being allocated for each station for monthly expenses while SHO would receive Rs15000 monthly allowances. A computer-literate graduate ASI is to be appointed at urban police station and an ASI with intermediate qualification at the rural police station as Moharrar.
A model police station SHO on the condition of anonymity said that they received no funds by the government. He added that the model police stations which are functioning in the city lacked required infrastructure and man power and they needed 66 FC officers, 6 head constables, 7 ASI, 5 Sub-Inspectors, 2 vehicles, 48 rifle, 4000 bullets while four metal detectors. He said that performance would not be different from other traditional police stations until the government releases funds.
Another official at Green Town Model Station seeking anonymity said that they had shortage of FC officers and required weapons. However, they had taken 10 metal detectors from different departments and local banks to meet the demands of security on this Muharram. Similar problems were at Raiwind city and Shahdra police station.