GILGIT: Sixty personnel of the Gilgit-Baltistan tourist police would be deployed in Diamer and Gilgit districts in the first phase after getting necessary training.

A three-day training in first aid started at Gilgit-Baltistan Institute of Science and Technology in collaboration with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society on Friday.

The tourist police have been established under the Karakoram Security Force with the mandate to provide the tourists with information about tourist destinations, local traditions, historical sites, and launch rescue and relief activities in case of emergency situations.

According to the relevant officials, personnel were being trained in interaction with tourists, provision of relief and rescue, quick redressal of complaints, and promoting sustainable tourism in the region. Besides, they said the personnel were also being trained on rescue and relief operations at high altitudes, providing information to the tourists about local values, customs, laws and ecosystem.

Tanweer-ul-Hassan, SSP Karakoram Security Force, told Dawn that the tourist police personnel would be deployed across the region.

He said in the next stages the personnel would be made to learn foreign languages for better communication with the tourists. He said the police force would help exploit the region’s tourism potential.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has set up a dedicated helpline 1422 at the tourist police call centre to assist tourists in case of distress, accidents or any other emergency.

The tourist police have a fleet of 37 patrolling mobiles, cars and 24 motorbikes.

Published in Dawn, February 29th, 2020