June 2, 2003	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 1, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, June 1: The capital police will receive over Rs50 million grant to improve their performance in the next fiscal year, Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat told Dawn on Sunday.

The minister said the local police had already been given a grant of Rs10 million for the purchase of vehicles and other necessary equipment. He said the grant to be released under the budget 2003-2004 would be utilized for the upgradation of police stations, purchase of weapons, screening equipment and explosive detectors.

Mr Hayat said fresh recruitment would be made in the Islamabad police. He said the capital police were facing difficulties in performing their duties due to lack of vehicles, weapons and the required staff.

Meanwhile, the minister held a meeting with senior officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and inspector general police, Islamabad, to discuss various issues pertaining to law and order.

He said a high alert had been declared in Islamabad and security beefed up at Diplomatic Enclave, in the vicinity of important buildings and various public places.

“I also visited Kohsar police station and found various irregularities there. The IG Islamabad has, therefore, been directed to streamline the working of the police station,” the minister said.

“I have started random checking of police stations and pickets erected at different areas of Islamabad at night to check police excesses and provide remedy to those who are being harassed by the police,” he added.

During night patrolling he had suspended several police personnel for negligence in their duties and creating problems for the citizens, he said.

Responding to a question whether the ministry had information about any expected terrorism activity in Islamabad as a result of which security had been beefed up in the capital, he said police should always be alert and remain vigilant to protect the lives and property of citizens.