Federal Minister for Communications Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan took serious note of the increasing number of crimes and fence cutting on M1 (Peshawar-Swabi) Motorway and ordered construction of patrolling posts at every 15 kilometres of the highway.
A high level meeting held with Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan in the chair on Monday decided the construction of patrolling posts on M1 Motorway and National Highway Authority (NHA) was directed to start the work at earliest possible.
The meeting reviewed the law and order situation on M-1 and decided that all effective measures will be taken to control crime and incidents of fence cutting on M-1 (Peshawar-Swabi) section. NHA was directed to submit designs of joint patrolling posts to the Alamgir within one week for its approval. It was also decided that the NHA would provide 6 single cabin vehicles for patrolling to local police. The meeting suggested recruitment of locals to effectively control crimes and fence cutting.
The General Manager of NHA in his briefing informed the participants that thieves have cut the fence in 46-km area from Peshawar to Rashakai. The Minister ordered to add the area up to Swabi, as there is a problem of law and order and fence cutting from Peshawar to Swabi. During the meeting the DIG motorway police Nasimuz Zaman was declared as the focal person who would also chair a committee, whose members are Commissioners of Peshawar and Mardan, DPO Peshawar and SPO Swabi.
The committee will submit a detailed report within a week to the Minister for Communications. The Minister said that the local administration and the Motorway Police should hold a meeting with the local Jirga's from time to time to curb crime rate on M-1. During the meeting, Comm-issioner Mardan Khalid Khan Umerzai informed that 22 criminals were booked in 11 FIRs for fence cutting and dozens bundles of fence was recovered from their custody.
Whereas, the DPO Peshawar Nasirul Mulk Bangash informed that 5 FIRs have been lodged in PS Chamkani and 11 criminals were arrested for fence cutting and 19 bundles of fence were recovered from their custody. The Minister said that safety of the commuters on M-1 should be ensured in all aspects.
He ordered the local administration of Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi and NH&MP to deal with the criminals with iron hand to ensure safety on M-1. The meeting was also attended by Secretary Communications Sharif Ahmed, Commissioner Peshawar Arbab Shah Rukh, Commissioner Mardan Khalid Khan Umerzai, DPO Peshawar Nasirul Mulk Bangash, DPO Swabi Rafiq Khan, DIG Motorways & Headquarters' Nasimuz Zaman and Chairman NHA Chaudhry Altaf Ahmed.