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ISLAMABAD, July 19: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday directed the chiefs of motorway and railways police to ensure safety of commuters and the motorway police to maintain high standards and serve the people selflessly. He was talking to Ahmad Nasim and Jehangir Mirza the newly appointed Inspectors-General of Motorway and Railways police, respectively.
The prime minister directed the Motorway police chief that safety and security of the commuters along with strict observance of traffic rules must never be compromised.
Ahmad Nasim assured the prime minister of fully utilizing his capabilities to maintain the standards of public service.
The prime minister directed the new IGP of Railways to ensure safety of passengers and smooth transportation of goods.
The prime minister said Railways was the most common mode of communication used by a large number of people and it was important that a strict vigil be maintained by the police. Senate Body directs motorway police to ensure safe journey
SENATE BODY: The Senate standing committee on communications on Tuesday directed the National Highways and Motorway Police for elaborate measures to ensure safe journey to the road users.
The committee, which met in the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Kamil Ali Agha, observed that security on the roads was the basic requirement of the travelling public.
The committee was given a briefing on the performance of National Highways and Motorway Police.
The members of the committee were informed that Rs1,418 million were allocated to NH&MP in 2004-2005 out of which Rs1,115 million were utilized.
The members advocated the judicious utilization of funds and suggested that patrolling on motorways and highways after sunset, should be increased not only to control crimes and highway robberies but also to ensure safe journey to the commuters.
The members of the committee suggested that the Motorway Police should, as a first step, introduce rescue and recovery service, make available more ambulances to meet any emergency.
Regarding criteria for induction of officers in NH&MP, it was told that the procedure laid down by the government was strictly followed.
In reply to a query, the committee was informed that the department monitors the performance of the patrolling officers and gives rewards to them on the basis of their performance.
The committee was further informed that the insurance cover for death and injury while on duty for employees of NH&MP was approved in year 2000, keeping in view the risky nature of duties of NH&MP.
It was told that a proposal was being actively considered for giving life insurance cover to all NH&MP officers on road duty.
The meeting was attended by senators Mir Muhammad Naseer Mengal, Naeem Hussain Chattha, Lt-Gen (retired) Javed Ashraf, Engineer Rashid Ahmad Khan, Nawab Muhammad Ayaz Khan Jogezai and Prof Muhammad Ibrahim Khan.
Minister for Communications Muhammad Shamim Siddiqui and senior officers of his ministry and NH&MP were also present.
