RAWALPINDI: Concerned by the sharp rise in armed robberies in the Chaklala Housing Scheme III, security and counter-terrorism officials have suggested establishing a separate police station to investigate the crime wave in the Chaklala garrison and its nearby areas.

The suggestion was raised during a meeting of the counter-terrorism officials.

The proposal for the new police station has been with the Punjab home department since 2013. The Airport police station, which currently covers the Chaklala garrison, is housed in a dilapidated railway building near the Chaklala railway station.

A police official said though the suggestion was raised due to the crime wave in the area, the division of the old Airport police station was required under police order 2002 under which any station whose registered cases cross 1,000 per year must be divided into two stations.

The Airport police station crossed this figure in one year at which point it was proposed that a separate station be built. Police officials say the proposal is still pending due to the lack of funds.

Scheme III residents have hired private security since the surge in purse snatching and home robberies. The residents have also put up barriers that they have funded together.

A resident said a new police station would only be beneficial if the police regularly patrol the area and arrest those perpetrating the robberies.

“The Airport police station is already understaffed and the remaining officers are busy with VIP and protocol duties. They don’t have time to investigate the crime wave in the area,” said Mohammad Azhar, a long-time resident of the area. He added that with the addition of a new station, he hoped police officials could concentrate more on the crime wave.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2015

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