Railways police request ministry to fill vacant posts

LAHORE : Pakistan Railways police have decided to enhance its strength in the wake of increasing terrorist incidents in the country, which have changed the complexion of policing and routine responsibilities of preventing and detecting crimes and maintaining law and order.

Railways police have requested the Ministry of Railways to fill up the existing vacancies of constables, 1,202, and driver constables, 17, through fresh requirements, according to documents available with The News.

It is mentioned in the documents, letter A-1/1-PRP, territorial limits of railways have been extended to the entire structure of railways including residential colonies, barracks of railways’ servants, etc.

It was mentioned in the document that the routine duties of railways police have increased manifolds as its personnel are being deployed to provide securities to VVIPs/ VIPs, DS Offices in all eight divisions, residences of Chinese Engineering working on different railways projects including CPEC, etc.

It was acknowledged in the letter that the attrition rate in railways police is nine per cent per year because of burden of duties, low morale due to less pay and lack of facilities.

According to the documents, sanctioned posts for the constables are 5,510 while the vacant posts are 1,202. In the category of drivers’ constables sanctioned posts are 60 while vacant posts are 17.

According to data, in Karachi sanctioned strength of constables is 1,082 and the vacancies are 250 while sanctioned strength of driver constables is four and vacancy is one. In Rawalpindi, sanctioned strength for constables is 765 and vacancies are 225 while sanctioned strength of constable drivers is 14 and vacancies are 9. In Lahore, sanctioned strength of the constables is 1,120 and vacancies are 178 while sanctioned strength for the constables driver is 10 and vacancy is one. In Multan sanctioned strength for constables are 623 and vacancies are 153 while sanctioned strength for constable drivers is 5. In (W) MGPR sanctioned strength for constables are 507 and vacancies is 117 while sanctioned strength for constable drivers is four and vacancy is one. In Peshawar sanctioned strength for constables is 365 and vacancies are 106 while the sanctioned strength for driver constables is four. In Sukkur, sanctioned strength for constables is 651 and vacancies are 100 while sanctioned strength for driver constables is five and vacancies are two. In Quetta, sanctioned strength for constables is 392 and vacancies is 72 while sanctioned strength for driver constable is four and vacancies are two. In PRP, sanctioned strength for constable is one and vacancy is one while the sanctioned strengths for driver constables are 10 and vacancies are two.

Additionally, personnel perform duties during the visit of Sikh Yatrees and special train operation for Tableeghi Ijtema at Raiwind once a year.