It was expected that massive allocations would be made for law and order in federal and provincial budgets for 2009-10 in the wake of threats of terrorist activities in the country, however, some critics believe the allocations made for the purpose are not in line with the expectations.
The federal government has allocated Rs 34.641 billion for law and order, while the Punjab, Sindh and the NWFP governments have earmarked Rs 54.52 billion, Rs 24.2 billion and Rs 9.7 billion respectively. The federal government's allocation for law and order is lower than Punjab's allocation by about Rs 20 billion.
Critics believe that this state of the affairs may be attributed to the federal government's reliance on the ongoing operation, Rah-e-Raast, by the armed forces to deal with the menace of terrorism. According to revised estimated the federal government had allocated Rs 27.343 billion for law and order and public safety in the last budget, and the allocation has now been increased only by Rs 7.298 billion.
Out of total Rs 34.641 billion earmarked for law and order and public safety, Rs 32.169 billion has been set aside for police, Rs 1.483 billion for Law Courts, Rs 81 million for Fire Protection, Rs 15 million for Prison Administration and Operation, Rs 15 million for Research and Development in Public Order and Safety, and Rs 8.77 million has been allocated for the administration of Police Order.
The Federal Government will have to provide modern equipment and best possible training to the personnel of law enforcement agencies to meet the challenges of terrorism and suicide bombings. Following many terrorist attacks in the federal capital last year, the government had decided to introduce modern and foolproof security system in Islamabad by installing hi-tech explosive scanners at entry points of the capital, but so far no practical step has been taken in this regard.
There were possibilities of special allocations of funds for installation of hi-tech explosive scanners at 21 entry points, but nothing was seen in the budget, sources in the Interior Ministry told this scribe. Sources in the Interior Ministry maintain that it is an urgent need to install scanners to avert suicide attacks in the capital.
Economists argue that the federal government simply does not have the resources to make adequate injections into law and order as the allocation by the federal government for fiscal year 2009-10 is not enough to strengthen police, civil armed forces and other law enforcement agencies.
The Punjab Government has increased the budget allocations by Rs 17.02 billion, from Rs 37.5 billion in 2008-09 to Rs 54.52 billion in 2009-10, showing 45.38 per cent increase. However, experts believe that it is still less than what was being expected.
The Sindh Government has allocated Rs 24.2 billion for law and order in 2009-10 as against Rs 21 billion earmarked in last year's budget, showing an increase of Rs 3.2 billion or 15.28 percent. In view of the deteriorating law and order situation, the provincial government plans to expand police force by 5,000 personnel, while 1,000-men Rapid Response Force will also be raised.
The NWFP Government has increased the budget allocations for fiscal year 2009-10 from Rs 6.5 billion to Rs 9.7 billion, showing an increase of Rs 3.2 billion or 49.30 percent. Keeping in view the deteriorating security situation in the province, the NWFP Chief Minister has announced formation of a elite police force, besides approving 1,762 additional posts in the police force and 11 posts for Additional Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General.
Comments
Comments are closed.