November 23, 2006	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 1, 1427

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LAHORE, Nov 22: Capital City police have urged the Punjab government to adopt a policing framework in the light of its proposals for making security arrangements in the newly-developed or recently planned residential colonies, it is learnt.

Six proposals have been prepared by the police keeping in view the absence of proper security arrangements in the haphazardly planned residential and commercial areas (public and private) and to allay an ever-increasing government concern to provide adequate police service to the residents and the business community.

A letter, carrying proposals, written to the Punjab chief secretary by the police authorities, states that a mushroom growth of residential areas and commercial centers throughout the province over the years has caused serious governance problems for different government agencies, especially the police.

It says: “Residential sprawls whether developed by the public or private sector have never witnessed necessary security arrangements for safety of life and property and the concerned government agencies engaged in land management, provision of utilities and town planning, never bothered to consult police for future protection services.

“The situation has allowed a free hand to the criminals and anti-social elements to operate in the society but it cannot be allowed to go unchecked without policy intervention from the government side.

The letter further says the police finds it hard to ensure proper protection of the citizens as no information, time or resources are provided to develop pre-emptive security system.

The letter suggests that no housing colony, residential town, commercial center or industrial estate may be sanctioned by the government without police assessment report spelling out future policing requirement of the area concerned and requisite resources needed thereof.

The city police while addressing the above habitation entities will conduct a security survey of the area and spell out its requirement i.e. establishment of police posts or stations, manpower, transport and equipment.

According to the proposals, the resources will be converted into requirement of financial outlays for the purpose in future with ways and means for resource availability i.e. likely sanctions from the government and financial commitments from the developers of the estates as included in the final plan. This will result in a legally covered public-private partnership.

Subject to the acceptance of costs by both the sectors, necessary modalities may be worked out for the purpose of cost and benefit sharing duly enshrined in the final approval of the schemes by the concerned government agencies, it has been suggested.

All the provincial and local government agencies may be co-opted in the process to provide a comprehensive planning for development and provision of civic services, including police.