GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan government on Thursday handed over 20 patrol cars to the region’s tourist police to provide better information and facilities to the visitors.

A ceremony for the purpose was held at the Police Training College here, where GB Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan showed up as the chief guest.

The other participants included chief secretary Rashid Mahmood, Inspector General of Police Mohammad Saeed Wazir, DIG (operations) Waqaruddin Saeed, AIG Tanveerul Hasan, tourist police head Ishaq Hussain, senior relevant officials, and police constables.

The chief minister said his government was making efforts to make the region’s police an ideal law-enforcement force in the country.

“We have introduced reforms in the police and other departments in a short span of time,” he said.

Mr Khalid said the government had created 1,000 posts in the GB police, would establish the counter-terrorism department, and would install closed-circuit television cameras in the region.

IGP Saeed Wazir said it was a historical step of his government to create a specialised force for visitors to the region.

He said the GB tourist police were gaining national and international recognition promoting a positive image of the region.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2022