RAWALPINDI: The City Traffic Police on Sunday celebrated the 16th anniversary of the introduction of the new warden system in Rawalpindi by the Punjab government, which aims to streamline the traffic system to prevent traffic violations and accidents.

The government had introduced a new warden system in 2007 to streamline the traffic system to avoid traffic violations and accidents. On the occasion, Chief Traffic Officer Rawalpindi Taimur Khan congratulated the first batch of wardens of City Traffic Police, Rawalpindi on completion of their 16 years of service.

Chief Traffic Officer Rawalpindi Taimur Khan congratulated the first batch of City Traffic Police, Rawalpindi upon completing 16 years of service and said that a clear change has been seen in the traffic system of Punjab province with the establishment of the system.

He told Dawn that 100 traffic wardens had already been promoted to the rank of inspector while another batch of 95 traffic wardens will be joining the three-month long promotion course on Monday.

He added that for the convenience of road users and further improvement in the traffic system, traffic wardens are engaged in performing their duties despite extreme heat, extreme cold and all kinds of weather conditions.

A clear improvement was seen and today the traffic system in Rawalpindi city is better than many developed cities, the CTO claimed, adding that today (on the 16th anniversary) all officers and wardens should make a commitment that they will make it their mission to serve citizens by maintaining the flow of traffic during duty in the coming days and perform their duties diligently.

Meanwhile, Muneer Ahmad Hashmi, superintendent of police (SP) assumed charge as senior traffic officer (STO) on Sunday.

A police spokesman said that SP Hashmi assumed the charge of Senior Traffic Officer at Traffic Headquarters, Rawalpindi. After assuming charge, a meeting with branch in-charges of traffic headquarters was held.

On this occasion, he said that Rawalpindi is an important district and he would try to provide better facilities to citizens in terms of traffic management and accident prevention during his tenure.

He further said people and the police are not separate and only with the cooperation of people can traffic in Rawalpindi district be controlled.

The system can be further improved, he said and asked staff to perform their duty with the spirit of service to the people and treat citizens with kindness.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2023