RAWALPINDI: The Punjab home department has directed the counter-terrorism department and divisional police chiefs across the province (CTD) to launch a crackdown against unauthorised sale of army and police uniforms.

They have been directed to immediately seal all such shops.

According to sources, the issue was raised at a top-level meeting held at the provincial capital to review security-related issues.

During the meeting, six shops were identified in Lahore which were selling unauthorised army and police uniforms and it was proposed to immediately seal these shops.

Concerned authorities across the province were directed to immediately launch a crackdown against such shops and submit reports twice a week regarding progress on the issue.

In recent terrorist attacks, including the Peshawar school attack on December 16, 2014, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists were wearing military uniforms to disguise themselves as Pakistan army soldiers.

In the garrison city of Rawalpindi, as many as 50 shops are currently selling army, police, Rangers and Frontier Constabulary uniforms.

Of these 50 shops, 16 are located on Railway Road Saddar, in the Cantonment area. This market is not far from the sensitive military installations and checkposts.

When contacted the Cantt Circle Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Raja Taifoor said notices had been served on all shops selling military and police uniforms and they have been told to keep a record of all customers.

“All shopkeepers selling military or police uniform have been directed to keep the copy of the National Identity Card (NIC) of whoever comes to them to buy a uniform item,” DSP Raja Taifoor said.

He added that all shopkeepers have been provided registers to keep a record of their customers.

He said that no shop had been sealed in the Cantonment areas so far, however, the police were keeping vigilance on all those shops selling old and new uniforms.

Recently, the security branch of Rawalpindi police was tasked to locate a man who was spotted asking some shopkeepers for a used police uniform. But after efforts of several days, the security branch staff was unable to trace the man seeking the uniform.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2015

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