ISLAMABAD, Jan 2: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Iftikhar Ahmed has pledged to solve the local traffic related problems and make Islamabad traffic police a role model for the police of the other parts of the country.

He was speaking to the participants while inaugurating a one- month “traffic awareness and education” campaign here on Monday.

Inspector General National Highways and Motorway Police Ahmed Nasim participated in the ceremony as chief guest. SSP Sikander Hayat, SSP Traffic Dr Azam Taimuri, SP Headquarters Zubair Hashmi and SP Diplomatic Protection Division Tariq Masood Yasin were also present on the occasion.

“The traffic awareness campaign would be for road users. However, emphasis would be on police personnel’s conduct and discipline,” the IGP said.

The official said that in line with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s desire to enforce the rule of traffic laws in Islamabad as was being done on the motorway, it was decided to equip the ICT traffic police and meet their demands.

He said there were 250 traffic police personnel to control traffic in Islamabad and in case of VVIP duties, they had to leave the other parts of the city thus causing traffic mess on the roads. Now it has been decided to increase the strength of the department and equip it with the latest vehicles and communication equipment, the IGP said.

The IGP said that by the end of June 2006, the strength of the traffic police would enhance from the present 416 to 709 personnel. He said 50 per cent of the transport and equipment required by the ICT police had been procured, while the remaining would be made available within next three months.

He said as part of the awareness campaign, lectures on traffic rules would be delivered in schools and colleges, while training and education of drivers would also be introduced.

Iftikhar Ahmed said traffic police personnel had been directed to be lenient with the drivers and simply give warning on minor violations avoiding challan and prosecution.

The IGP said that the CDA had also been asked to improve the existing road network.