Balochistan Point Voice of Nation
QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has said that until and unless we strictly abide by the laws we would not progress in any sector. “We need to obey and respect the traffic laws and should bring a change in our attitudes,” he added.
He expressed these views while addressing a seminar on “Road Safety” organized by National Highway Authority (NHA) and Motorway Police at a local hotel, here on Thursday.
People hailing from different walks of life, including lawyers, doctors, teachers and transporters attended the seminar.
Chief Minister Balochistan lauded Motorway police for its better performance in other parts of the country and hoped that it would also play its crucial role in Balochistan.
He regretted that mostly motorists in Balochistan not only violate traffic rules but also get amused doing so. “We opt to change our habits and attitude if we really want to develop as we are living in an alive society,” he remarked.
Citing importance of driving license, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said that in developed countries like Europe and US who have had driving license he was highly respected but in our country who even did not know how to drive hold driving license which was unfair.
He linked the progress of any society with complete obeying of laws, adding that incumbent government had brought much improvement in police and trying to further improve its performance.
He assured Motorway police to all possible support on the part of Balochistan if it was to enhance its service in highways in Balochistan. “Our province covers 44 per cent landmass of total country having highways,” he said, adding that centre always showed sympathy towards Balochistan but practically it denied its due share.
He also asked the transporter to keep tight check on drivers on highways adding that government would extend every possible assistance to Motorway Police to function smoothly in the province.
Commissioner Quetta Division, Qambar Dashti said that though we had a lot of problems and lack of resources particularly in Quetta city to keep smooth flow of traffic but we should strictly follow the traffic laws. “Driving license should be issued on merit after passing through all legal procedures,” he recommended, adding that training workshops should be organized to create awareness among the citizens about the traffic laws.
Capital City Police (CCPO) Quetta, Abdul Razzaq Cheema said that police as compared to Motorway police had a lot of challenges despite that it was making all out efforts to ensure smooth flow of traffic in the city. “Our roads are congested and we have insufficient parking lots in the city notwithstanding police officers have been trained to have polite attitude with people no matter how the behave with police,” he added.
He said that police was taking tight action against vehicles plying with tinted glasses and traffic rules violators, and would soon introduce latest mode of issuing license and implanting traffic laws not only in Quetta but also other parts of the province.
Principal Girls Degree College, Dr Shugufta Iqbal stressed upon the need of inducting curriculum related to traffic laws in the syllabus in educational institutes and the implementation of traffic rules should be ensured.
Inspector General Motorway Police, Zulfiqar Cheema briefed the audience in detail about the Motorway Police and its performance in Balochistan and other parts of the country.
He said that officers of Motorway police were more polite to the people and obedient to their job therefore officers from police were intending to Motorway police.
He said that currently Motorway Police was covering 470-kms in Balochistan and would expend its control over 1574-kms, adding that Motorway police would also recruit youth from Balochistan in coming days.
Other speakers also addressed on the occasion and threw light on traffic rules and Motorway police.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Balochistan distributed certificates among police officers and also helmets among citizens.
By Staff Reporter
Published in The Balochistan Point on February 14, 2014
