MINGORA: Military police would assist the Swat police to tackle the ever growing traffic issues in the district.

This was stated by Officer Commanding Military Police, Major Zafar Iqbal while briefing media persons at the Army Circuit House at Saidu Sharif on Tuesday.

He said in collaboration with the Swat police traffic system in the district would be streamlined.

“Presently, traffic mess is the biggest issue in Swat. So, in collaboration with traffic police and district administration a comprehensive traffic plan has been devised which will resolve the traffic issues to a great extent,” he said.

He said since military police officials had been observing traffic issues in Swat they had devised the plan after proper analysis. “After the traffic plan was chalked out it was discussed with the General Officer Commanding, Malakand Division, Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor for approval,” he said.

About 300,000 vehicles move in Mingora city daily and there are only 130 traffic police in the entire Swat district.

Highlighting the traffic plan Maj Iqbal said both the military and traffic police would jointly address the mismanagement and traffic violations.

“Initially, the military police will train 40 traffic wardens to enable them to ensure smooth traffic flow on the roads in Mingora city,” he said, adding, “In a joint action the military police with traffic police will launch a crackdown against thousands of unregistered vehicles while action against the under-age drivers will also be undertaken.”

He said driving licences and vehicles’ documents would also be strictly checked.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2016