A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Punjab governments is most likely to be signed within the next month for launching the Safe City Project in the territory’s three divisional headquarters with the cooperation of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority.
The IGP said the state-of-the-art initiative would introduce advanced surveillance and law enforcement technologies aimed at improving public safety, traffic management and crime prevention across AJK.
"The Punjab Safe Cities Authority will provide consultancy and technical assistance for the project, under which AI-based monitoring systems, facial recognition technology, e-challan facilities and other modern policing tools will be introduced," Mr Malik said.
He said that following the signing of the MoU, a comprehensive ground survey would be conducted within a month to determine locations for central control rooms and identify installations required at entry and exit points of the cities.
"The objective is not merely to install cameras but to establish an integrated, technology-driven policing system capable of enhancing situational awareness, improving emergency response and strengthening crime detection and prevention," he added.
Mr Malik said the government-to-government arrangement would ensure maximum facilities at comparatively lower cost while maintaining international standards of monitoring and urban policing.
According to him, the project will initially be launched in Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot and Mirpur before being expanded gradually to other parts of AJK through revenue generated by the system itself.
He expressed confidence that the Safe City Project would significantly improve traffic flow, support evidence-based policing and help law enforcement agencies respond more effectively to criminal activities and emergencies.
Referring to counterterrorism measures, the IGP said he had succeeded in obtaining approval from the federal government for the long-pending Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) project after sustained efforts and coordination.
He said the federal government would provide Rs1.90 billion for buildings, vehicles, arms and ammunition, communications infrastructure and other specialised equipment, while the AJK government had approved the creation of 472 posts for the department.
"This is a critical national security domain which requires specialised manpower, modern infrastructure and swift operational capability. Our aim is to build a professional and proactive CTD capable of addressing emerging security challenges effectively," he said.
The IGP also called for the creation of a separate post of deputy inspector general (DIG) for the CTD.
"A dedicated department of such sensitivity and importance requires an officer of DIG rank exclusively focused on operational readiness, intelligence coordination and timely decision-making," he observed.
Mr Malik asserted that efforts were underway to make police officers more accessible to ordinary citizens and improve public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
He said AJK, despite being a relatively small territory, had 60 police stations, 30 police posts and 27 check posts with a total strength of around 9,800 personnel.
"Once deployments for security duties and police stations are accounted for, only around 2,000 personnel remain available for operational responsibilities."
Regarding the forthcoming Legislative Assembly elections, Mr Malik said the police department had completed its preparatory work to ensure peaceful, transparent and orderly polls.
"During general elections, we may require an additional 4,000 to 5,000 personnel. As soon as the election schedule is announced, consultations will begin with all stakeholders regarding deployment requirements," he said.
"Decisions in such matters are never taken in isolation by the police chief; rather, they are made collectively in accordance with the ground realities and security assessments," he added.
Responding to a question about the strike call announced by the Joint Awami Action Committee for June 9, the IGP said the police respected the constitutional right of citizens to peaceful protest.
“As long as demonstrations remain peaceful and within the ambit of law, there will be no action against any citizen. However, attempts to block roads, disrupt public life or resort to coercion will compel the law to take its course,” he said.
He expressed the hope that people had developed greater civic responsibility and realised that public infrastructure and property ultimately belonged to them.
“Damaging roads, buildings, vehicles or public facilities amounts to harming one’s own society and collective interests,” he remarked.
The IGP said work was also underway on establishing an Elite Force, a Cyber Crime Force and a Quick Response Force (QRF) to enhance the professional capabilities of the AJK police.
Highlighting the comparatively low crime rate in the territory, he noted that a single police station in Lahore registered nearly 12,000 criminal cases annually, whereas the overall crime rate in AJK so far this year remained below 5,000, with hardcore crime constituting only a small proportion.
Mr Malik said the AJK police currently comprised nine DIGs, 10 SPs and 35 DSPs, and stressed that improving accessibility to senior officers was among his priorities.
“I have instructed officers at all levels to keep their doors open for the public because easy access to the competent authority helps resolve grievances quickly and strengthens trust between the police and the community,” he said.
Observing that the tenure of an IGP was usually limited, Mr Malik said he wanted his time in office to leave a positive impact, particularly for vulnerable and underprivileged segments of society.
Tariq Naqash
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