ISLAMABAD: Nine new projects worth billions of rupees were announced for the interior ministry’s attached departments, including the establishment of an Anti-Riot Force (ARF) and construction of a hospital for the police in the capital.

An amount of Rs1 billion has been allocated in the forthcoming budget for the ARF and Rs1 billion have been set aside for the construction of the Police Hospital.

The estimated cost of the ARF is Rs8.2 billion and that of the hospital Rs2 billion.

In March 2017, the then interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had said an ARF, comprising 2,000 personnel, would be raised to enhance the capacity of the capital police. Briefing a National Assembly committee on the performance of his ministry, he had said the Islamabad police would be equipped with two water cannons.

In December 2017, the Ministry of Interior approved the hiring of 2,000 personnel for the ARF and the recruitment process would be completed in two phases, each comprising 1,000 officials. An amount of Rs200 million has been allocated for the establishment of a model police station in Islamabad. The estimated cost of the project is Rs1 billion.

The establishment of a national cyber terrorism security investigation agency at an estimated cost of Rs500 million has also been announced for which Rs100 million have been allocated.

A national forensic lab will also be set up in the capital at a cost of Rs1 billion. An amount of Rs100 million has been allocated for it in the budget.

The construction of the ICT administration complex Phase-II costing Rs879 million has been announced and Rs400 million have been allocated for it.

Besides, Rs150 million have been set aside for the construction of a judicial and administration complex in G-11/4. The total cost of the project is Rs537 million.

Another scheme of upgradation of security measures at National Police Academy H-11 was also announced with an estimated cost of Rs55 million. The amount has also been allocated in the budget.

A Rs1.4 billion project for establishing accommodation, training and administrative blocks and barracks for the Rapid Response Force of the police has also been announced and Rs400 million have been allocated for it.

The construction of 50 quarters for women police with an estimated cost of Rs200 million is also included in the budget and Rs100 million have been allocated for it.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2018