August 23, 2002	Friday	Jamadi-us-Saani 13,1423

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GILGIT, Aug 22: The Police Act 2002 will not be enforced in the Northern Areas due to financial constraints, informed sources told Dawn on Wednesday.

They added that formerly the Northern Areas police were allowed to set up separate crimes, investigation and investigation wings under the proposed police act and over 316 posts were created thereof, but the finance division had now objected to it.

They said that according to the new police act 38 pickups, 8 Suzuki jeeps, 15 motorbikes and a car had been purchased by the NA police department, but the 316 posts have not yet been filled.

A police source said that the total strength of NA police was 2,924 policemen, including civilian personnel for the 1.5 million population of Northern Areas.

The source added that because of the perched, sequestered and mountainous areas, the NA police department needed more force. They added that due to lack of personnel and vehicles, Rescue 15 was not being effective.

They added that the post of DIG and three superintendents of police are still vacant.

WOMAN RECOVERED: The police recovered an abducted woman and her six-year-old son and a stolen car (LEU 7477) from of one Muhabat Khan resident of Peshawar, SHO police Akhter Changezi said.

He said that the woman (S) and her son were abducted by Muhabat Khan on July 16 from Hayatabad, Peshawar.