September 10, 2003	Wednesday	Rajab 12, 1424

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MUZAFFARABAD, Sept 9: The AJK and the British police have signed memoranda of understanding for the exchange of information and training, an official said here on Monday.

Deputy inspector general police (headquarters) Faheem Ahmed Khan told reporters that the West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and West Midland police had also donated equipment to the AJK police.

The British police, he said, had also agreed in principle to help AJK police develop police resource centres in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur.

The DIG said that 700 new police constables had been recruited in the AJK during the past three years, adding that five ASPs had also been appointed through the Public Service Commission and were presently undergoing training at the Civil Services Academy, Lahore.

He said by end-December, 35 assistant sub-inspectors and 13 prosecuting sub-inspectors would also be recruited through the PSC.

The DIG reminded that the AJK police had begun recruiting matriculate constables since 1987 while the same condition had been imposed in Pakistan only recently.

Referring to capacity-building measures, he said that the AJK police had conducted 26 professional courses for its officers and policemen during the past two years, adding that promotion had been linked with completion of relevant professional courses.

He said that by establishing its own vehicle repair workshop, the AJK police had saved Rs2.6 million in last year besides keeping 90 per cent of its vehicles operational throughout the year.

The police, he said, had also constructed bunkers in police stations located near the shelling-prone areas along the Line of Control.

Referring to the funding of the AJK Special Branch, he said that it was being funded by the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, adding that steps were being taken to improve its performance.