Punjab to give Android phones to police officers

LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to provide Android phones with the estimated cost of Rs300 million to police officers from BS-16 to BS-21 to improve the communication among the police officers for quick response to any emergency.
The Finance Department opposed the decision in the light of the notification of National Telecommunication and Information Technology Security Board Islamabad issued on July 10, 2012, according to which, cellular phone cannot be brought in any official meeting, storage of official data in mobile phone was banned and use of mobile phones in sensitive offices are prohibited.
However, Home Department has supported the decision regarding providing the Android phones to the police officers and sent a summary to the chief minister for his approval. Inspector General of Police sent a summary to the Home Department, which has been forwarded to the CM Secretariat.
The available documents revealed that in the summary, the IGP mentioned that keeping in view the prevailing security situation it is needed that communication gap among the field and commanding officers should be filled so that the secret orders and data could be delivered to them through high-tech communication system. The existing communication system is confined within the offices; therefore, it became difficult to communicate any direction to the commanding officers regarding change in security plan in an emergency to control law & order.
In order to overcome the complicated situation the police department decided to provide Android phones to the police officers of BS-16 to BS-21 with the estimated cost of Rs300 million and police had the required funds. It is stated that several government departments are using Android phones. Moreover, mobile phones companies would provide the phone sets free-of-cost and replace the cellular phones after every two years. The mobile phones will be issued against a post. Moreover, security of data is not an issue and in this regard the police already consulted with Punjab Information Technology Board.
According to details, the total posts of police officers from BS-16 to BS21 are 1,224 including 14 posts of Additional IG (BS-21), maximum limit of bill is Rs3,000 per month, 38 post of DIG (BS-20) with maximum bill limit 3,000 per month, 74 posts of Assistant Inspector General (AIG)/ Senior Superintendent of Police (BS-19) with maximum bill limit Rs2,000, 184 posts of Superintendent of Police (BS-18) with maximum bill limit Rs1,500, one post of Deputy Director CPO (BS-18) with bill limit Rs1,500, 150 posts of SDPOS (BS-17) with bill limit of Rs1,500, 55 posts of Assistant Directors (BS-17) with bill limit of Rs1,500, 708 posts of SHOs (BS-16) with bill limit of Rs1,500.