RAWALPINDI: After a lapse of several months since the government introduced its National Action Plan (NAP) to fight terrorism, the Rawalpindi police on Wednesday officially launched a public awareness campaign.

They also formed a special cell for the new law of ‘Information of Temporary Residents’ (ITR) to address public complaints against the arrests of innocent people.

A press release from the city police officer (CPO) said the ITR’s security survey will be available on the police’s official website, www.cporwp.punjabpolice.gov.pk. It also directed the people to contact the CPO, Israr Ahmad Abbasi, on his mobile phone number, 0307-8883824 in case of emergencies and on two landline numbers: 051-9292611 and 051-9292624.

The CPO said since people were facing problems in getting their tenants registered, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Mohamad Wisal Fakhar Sultan Raja has directed the police to form a special cell to deal with such concerns.

Law enforcement agencies have been trying to implement the 20 point National Action Plan for fighting terrorism. Some critics say the ITR will not succeed in getting all tenants and their landlords registered. This is mainly speculated because no serving or retired government employees are willing to provide this information, especially those living in housing societies. Also, the majority of people are not aware of the new laws and hence get in trouble for violating it.

Under the ITR ordinance, 2015 the property dealer, landlord and tenant is bound to inform the police within 48 hours from the time the tenant moves into rented premises. Hotel and guest house owners have to inform the police about guest arrivals within three hours of check-ins.

Since the first announcement of the national action plan to fight terrorism, the police have registered more than 1,800 cases and made more than 2,000 arrests nationwide.

Published in Dawn, September 24th , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play