KARACHI, Jan 4: Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui has said that in view of the population growth and increase in the volume of vehicles, there should not be a restriction on recruitment in the police department.

"It is a sustained process which should continue in accordance with requirements and conditions," the minister said while presiding over a meeting held here on Tuesday to discuss traffic problems.

He revealed that the ban on recruitment in police department was being lifted immediately. The meeting was attended by DIG Traffic Mohammed Yamin Khan, SSP Traffic Ghulam Sarwar Jamali and other officials of traffic police department.

He pointed out that the aim of the campaign launched against violation of traffic rules was to create awareness about traffic laws and to check violators. He observed that big tankers, vending stalls and the workshops extending their encroachment to roads along the city's major thoroughfares were causing hindrance in the smooth flow of traffic.

He stressed on measures through which this problem could be tackled without depriving poor people of their livelihood. He asked the officials to use their best capabilities to ensure an effective control on traffic movement and maintain a smooth flow of traffic across the city.

Mr Siddiqui pointed out that innocent people were falling victim to the speeding tankers, trawlers, trucks, buses and mini-buses, and noted that 'killing machines' had again come out on roads.

He said that laws were being amended to punish such drivers and proposals had been sent to law department to overcome shortcomings. He declared that no favour, pressure or influence would be accepted while introducing amendments to the laws. -APP/PPI