August 18, 2008	Monday	Sha'aban 15, 1429

GILGIT, Aug 17: Nearly 20 per cent of the Northern Areas police are engaged in providing security to individuals who are vulnerable to attacks, leaving the force under strength.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khurshid Alam told reporters in Gilgit that out of the 4,450 personnel, including those forming the non-professional cadre, 900 were deputed to protect government officers, judiciary officials, politicians and other important people.

IGP Alam said a large number of personnel had also been stationed at pickets along the boundaries of the Northern Areas.

He said after deployments for these duties, the department was left with only a fraction of police officials for maintaining law and order, which was the primary task of the police. According to the senior officer, police stations are being run with minimum staff.

The IGP said fortunately, the rate of social crime was low in the area otherwise the whole system would have collapsed. He said due to the severe shortage of personnel, authorities were planning to task policewomen with all kind of duties, including administrative and security appointments.

IGP Alam told the reporters that Ghanche and Ghizer district lacked police lines which happened to be the backbone of the force.

He said in all provinces, an assistant inspector general headed the telecommunication wing of the police department, but in the Northern Areas this duty was also being performed by the lower staff.