PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Friday inaugurated a patrol rider squad for the provincial capital and handed over 42 motorcycles to the police department for it.

During a special ceremony here, the chief minister said the initiative would help protect the residents from street crimes.

He said the patrol squad would respond immediately to the street crime incidents.

CM says initiative to help check street crimes

“The riders will be the first responders to any street crime and will carry out snap checking and hot pursuit and check illegal activities in the city. They will also provide first aid to the victims of street crimes,” he said.

Mr Mahmood said the police department’s initiative would promote the community policing and enhance the relations between the people and police.

According to the police, more than 80 qualified elite force personnel have been selected as patrol riders, who will perform duty in different areas of Peshawar from 7am to 12pm.

Among them are two women police officers, who will perform duty in the women’s markets and family parks.

The motorcycles purchased for them cost Rs3.5 million and uniforms and other equipment Rs2 million.

FUNDS UTILISATION: The chief minister directed the complete utilisation of the annual development programme funds in the province, including its merged districts.

The directions were issued during the first quarterly ADP review meeting here.

The chief minister said he won’t tolerate delay in the completion of development schemes.

He said the mega projects, those, whose completion was due, and other priority projects should be identified for 100 per cent funding release to ensure their completion on time.

Mr Mahmood ordered the maximum utilisation of the donors’ funds.

He said the next ADP review would be held after one month to examine progress on development schemes.

The chief minister expressed concern about delay in development schemes of merged districts and asked the relevant deputy commissioners and senior board of revenue member to resolve the issues of site identification and land acquisition.

Regarding the prime minister’s announcement of development schemes in merged districts, including establishment of universities, colleges, health facilities and roads, Mr Mahmood directed the health, communication and works and higher education departments to work out modalities on emergency basis to ensure the execution of schemes.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2019