Senate Standing Committee on Interior has expressed its anger and dismay over the absence of Rehman Malik, Interior Minister and Khwaja Siddiq Akbar, Secretary Interior from the meeting of the committee and decided to raise the matter at the highest level of the government.
It speaks volumes about the seriousness of the government to resolve the problems of people as Interior Minister has no time to talk on the issues people are confronted with, Senator Talha Mehmood, Chairman of the Committee observed while chairing the committee meeting held at the Parliament House Tuesday.
"It is an insult to the parliament and the matter will be raised at highest level", Mehmood said, adding that the committee members will approach Chairman Senate on this issue to seek the answer from the Minister and Secretary for their casual attitude towards the committee's proceedings. "We will meet the Prime Minister Gilani and apprise him about the casual attitude of the Minister and seek proper action", he said.
Talha Mehmood said that the Minister was in advance informed about the schedule and agenda of the meeting, even then he failed to arrive in the meeting to answer various the questions of the members.
Senator Nayyer Bokhari, Leader of the House in Senate, also, expressed dismay over the absence of the Minister and Secretary saying that he will not attend next meeting if Minister will not be there. Bokhari called upon committee secretariat to ensure co-ordination with Interior Minister so that he will be available.
The committee reviewed the performance of Islamabad Police and suggested various recommendations for betterment of Islamabad Police after IGP gave a detailed briefing to committee about force. It expressed concern over shortage of manpower in the force and called upon the government to ensure recruitment in Islamabad Police so that it will work with full strength. About 70 percent of the force is working on VIP duty while just 30 percent is for safeguarding the lives and property of 1.8 million people of Islamabad, Talha Mehmood said.
IGP Islamabad informed the committee that only 2,675 personnel are available in operational division of Capital Police to safeguard 1.8 million people, which is just 29 percent of total strength. "You give me more strength I assure you many crime free police stations in the capital and the crime rate will decline quickly", he added. He said that last recruitment was made in 2005 and during last six years 'not a single person was inducted' in the Capital Police. He said that Islamabad Police is running short of strength and immediately needs over 800 persons. The committee was informed that last year recruitment was initiated but after test interviews it was called off. The Committee expressed concern over wastage of millions of rupees on recruitment efforts that were later called off.
IGP Islamabad Bani Amin Khan briefed the committee of the law and order situation in the capital saying that during the seven months of the year 2011, 4,240 crime incidents were recorded as compared to 3626 during corresponding period in 2010. Out of 4,240 crimes, 656 were of heinous nature, 1,124 property issues, 1,196 local issues, while 1, 264 were other cases. He said during this period of 2011, 4,654 total cases of different crimes were registered in capital, out of them challans of 3,434 were submitted in courts and 4,488 persons were arrested while during the corresponding period in 2010 3,826 cases were registered, challans of 2,082 were submitted in courts and 4,892 persons arrested.
Giving police station wise break-up of the crime, Bani Amin Khan said that Aabpara registered 303 cases, Kohsar 397, Secretariat 115, Bhara kahu 222, Margalla 441, Shalimar 511, Golra 210, Tarnol 344, Industrial Area 305, Sabzi Mandi 378, Shahzad Town 394, Nilore 82, Sihala 198, Koral 303 and women 37. He said that Aabpara registered 12 cases of heinous crimes, Kohsar nine, Secretariat five, Bhara Kahu 12, Margalla 19, Shalimar 26, Golra nine, Tarnol 32, Industrial Area 17, Sabzi Mandi 20, Shahzad Town 24, Nilore nine, Sihala 15 and Koral 21 cases.
He said that over 13,698 cases are pending in different court that include 86 murder, 492 attempt to murder, 1,185 injuries, 544 dacoities, 15 cattle theft, 181 vehicle snatching and 11,185 others. He informed the committee that up to July this year 78 murder incidents were registered, challans of 34 were submitted and 106 persons were arrested as compared to 78 murders were recorded during corresponding period of 2010 out of which 33 challans were completed and 71 persons were arrested. Bani Amin informed the committee that 629 cases of drug pushing were registered up to July 2011 and challans of all cases were submitted and 676 persons were arrested while during corresponding period of 201, 394 cases were registered all challaned and 513 persons were arrested.
He said that police recovered 282kilogram charas, 24kilogram heroin, 22kilogram opium and 12,531 bottles of liquor were recovered by Capital Police in 2011. He said that 121 cases of kidnapping were registered in seven months of 2011 out of which 49 challans were submitted and 313 persons were arrested while during corresponding period in 2010 87 cases were registered, 39 challans were submitted and 269 persons were arrested. Four cases of kidnapping for ransom were registered in 2011 and challans of all four were submitted and 11 persons were arrested while in 2010 12 cases were registered, 10 challans were submitted and 28 persons were nabbed.
He said that 134 cases of robbery were registered, 62 challans were submitted and 112 persons were arrested while in corresponding period in 2010 172 cases were registered, 76 challans were submitted and 173 persons were held. He said that 21 incidents of burglary were registered in 2011, nine challans were submitted and 20 persons were held while in 2010, 30 cases were registered, 12 challans were submitted and 22 were arrested. As many as 202 theft cases were registered, 83 challans were submitted and 169 persons were arrested in 2011 while in 2010, 189 cases of theft were registered, 64 challans were submitted and 99 persons were held.
Speaking about car theft issue, the IGP Islamabad said that during 2011, 76 car theft cases were registered, 52 challans were submitted and 394 persons were arrested while in 2010, 67 cases were registered, 32 were challaned and 353 persons were arrested. He said that in 2011, 89 motorcycles were stolen, 7 cases were challaned and 13 persons were held while in 2010 90 motorbikes were stolen, seven challans were submitted and 15 persons were arrested.
Expressing his views, Talha Mehmood said that the committee will send its proposal for recruitment in Islamabad Police to the government. He ensured the IGP Islamabad that the committee will fully support Islamabad Police if its house will be put in order. Senators Dr Abdul Malik, Kazim Khan, Tahir Mashhadi, Nayyar Bokhari, Najma Hameed and Gulshan Ara Saeed, Additional Secretary Interior, Najeebullah, Additional Secretary Law, Chief Commissioner Islamabad Tariq Pirzada, SSP Traffic, Dr Moeen Masood and other police officials were present in the meeting.