Gilani fears another 9/11

The Prime Minister urged the need for developing the country’s highway and traffic system at par with international standards in terms of rule observance, road safety and traffic sense. He called for inculcating among the masses the sense of following rules and regulations, not only on roads but also in every discipline of their lives.

He highlighted the need for launching special drives to educate people on hazards of over speeding and use of seatbelts to avoid fatal accidents. He expressed satisfaction over the NH&MP for ensuring orderly behaviour among the motorists and commuters, and their polite yet firm handling with road users. He coined a new slogan for NH&MP as ‘National roads for one nation’ to depict the symbol of unity among all provinces.

He asked the departments to observe provincial, minority and women quotas at all cost while recruiting staff, and particularly asked NH&MP to ensure 10 per cent quota for women in its department.

Inspector General NH&MP Muhammad Raffat Pasha highlighted various achievements of NH&MP since its inception in 1997 and said for the first time a “corruption-free, soft police” was introduced in country’s history.

He said due to efficient performance of motorway police, the rate of accidents had declined by 70 per cent and the crime rate by 80 per cent. He said in future, the construction of N-75 from Islamabad to Murree Expressway and N-35 from Hassan Abdal to Mansehra Dual Carriageway were on cards.

He said the officials are trained to adopt a service-oriented and public friendly attitude to facilitate the road users. He mentioned other services of NH&MP including 24-hour helpline 130, ambulances with paramedics, patrol vehicles equipped with first aid and mobile workshop with mechanics.

Pasha said the motorway police also coordinated with the Narcotics as well as Food Departments to check smuggling of flour. He also mentioned the humanitarian efforts of NH&MP due to which 423 lost or runaway children have so far been united with their parents.

Secretary Communication Saifullah Sherwani pointed out the need for equitable and community-based police for the welfare of people. He urged the need for enforcing even strict laws in the country and violation to be dealt by the officials politely but firmly.

Earlier, the Prime Minister conferred awards on the senior officials and patrolling officers of NH&MP for their professional excellence.