June 22, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 17, 1429

RAWALPINDI, June 21: The traffic warden system was formally launched in Rawalpindi and Murree on Saturday, under which 985 traffic wardens, including 33 women, assumed their duties to control the traffic, whereas 320 more wardens will join their colleagues soon after completing their training.

Inauguration ceremony of the new traffic system and passing out parade was held at the Police Lines.

City Police Officer (CPO) Rao Muhammad Iqbal speaking on the occasion said that the new system would help in maintaining smooth flow of traffic in the city. Traffic wardens will facilitate the road users, and the people feel positive change on the roads, he added.

“The wardens might become a role model for the common man as well as the police department by keeping polite attitude with the citizens and the suggestions of the people will be important in strengthening the new system,” the CPO maintained.

He said the Rawalpindi traffic police had a duel responsibility of maintaining the smooth traffic flow as well escorting the VIPs during their movement within the city.

“Best facilities were being provided to the traffic wardens and in return people expected a lot from them,” the CPO said.

He urged the wardens to work hard to make the department efficient and corruption-free.

The CPO also announced to install global positioning system and upgrading wireless apparatus in the traffic police’s vehicles.

On the occasion, he handed over two floors of the newly constructed building at the police lines for residential accommodation to the officials.

The CPO appreciated the work of old traffic police to keep the traffic moving in the city.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Usman Anwar speaking on the occasion said traffic management had become a science in the developed countries but in the countries, he added, like Pakistan no proper heed had been paid to this important sector in the past.

He said the wardens had completed the dual training of the elite force as well as practical education from the National Highways and Motorways Authority at Sihala Police Collage.

The CTO said that apart from police it was the duty of civic bodies to remove encroachments and construct new infrastructure for the traffic. He hoped that traffic wardens would bring good name to the Punjab police.

Later, the newly inducted traffic wardens staged a flag march on different roads of the city, that was led by Senior Traffic Officer Malik Matloob Ahmed.