By: M A Khokhar
The year 1997, marked the advent of a new chapter in the history of policing in Pakistan, when practical steps were initiated to raise a modern, competent and efficient force for policing of the Motorway (M-2). There were far more skeptics than supporters, as it was considered a utopian project in the context and result of all previous attempts. While the intelligentsia and bureaucracy scoffed at the idea, professional policemen were unanimous that it was not possible to bring any positive change in Police culture. In fact, one of the incumbent Inspector General (Enforcement) wrote a letter to the government recommending that such a police force was impossible to establish in Pakistani environment, therefore, the idea should be dropped.
Formidable Challenge Accepted:This daunting task was given to the then Inspector General Police Mr. Iftikhar Rashid against a serious time constraint and hostile environment. His core team comprised of Mr. Abdul Hafeez Bangash, DIG and Mr. Abbas Hussain Malick, SP.
It goes to the credit of this skeleton team of committed officers who stuck to their jobs and burnt midnight oil to produce something unique and unmatchable. It is even more creditable when the outcome is viewed against the backdrop of serious time and resource constraints. The most astonishing aspect of the project was that unwanted and substandard serving policemen, provided by provinces on deputation from all over Pakistan, were weaned from ingrained bad habits and molded into an efficient, honest and dedicated unit through motivational training and with the leader leading from the front. Incredibly not a single one of these unwanted officers was dismissed or reverted to the Province which astounded everyone.
There is no parallel example of such a transformation of serving policemen into icon of excellence and integrity anywhere in the world.The two uniformed officers did a sterling job in implementing the plan on ground and literally worked round the clock for the first 4/6 months. It was this lean time which achieved the impossible under the command of I.G. This stupendous challenge was willingly accepted by the leader whose boundless energy, unflinching determination, devotion to duty and inspiring leadership brought out the best in this team achieving unmatchable results. His visionary plan and matchless commitment helped him cross the Rubicon.
The British Motorway Police Trainers, seeing this force in operations on a re-visit, remarked that this force was even better than the British Motorway Police.The new force quickly earned the respect and appreciation of millions of road users. Not a single day passed without non-stop praise and prayers for this force from the travelers on the Motorways. It will not be irrelevant to mention here that no fresh recruitment was made in 1997 and all 500 unwanted and semi educated Traffic Police officers were sent on deputation by provinces. Stereotyped myths of all Police reform Commissions / Planners which stood shattered in the process of raising this force and practically establishing that these were neither the core nor real issues of Police, were:-
- Despite being offered almost three times more pay and perks, hardly any volunteer from the provinces opted to join this force. It is a delusion and naivety that money can reform the Police or Bureaucracy.
- The entire lot comprised discarded Traffic Policemen with an average service of 15 years who were put through just 8 weeks of police training. All the remaining period was utilized for motivation and public service. Here goes the myth of intensive professional training.
- Since no fresh recruitment was made, therefore the fantasy that only high standard recruitment improves performance was blasted when these unwanted policemen were transformed into symbols of excellence through motivation and leadership.
- Complete authority was given to the entire force, with no involvement of Magistracy. This demolished the myth that police misuses authority if allowed to work independently. If fact the opposite was proved beyond doubt which has sustained all these years.
The real issues of Policing are Societal, Operational and Managerial which were for the first time addressed while raising the Motorway Police, whereas all the above are ancillary.
Expansion to all National Roads:Recognizing the exceptional performance of the Motorway Police and at a time when everything else related to M-2 was under scrutiny, the government expanded the network of Motorway Police to all the National Highways, initially starting with Peshawar-Karachi National Highway (N-5). This decision attracted cynicism and doubt from public and private sectors. Understandably their apprehensions were not misplaced considering the complexity of Traffic, attitude of drivers and behaviour of pedestrians on the Highways of Pakistan. This was indeed a very difficult venture plus the unnerving apprehension that Motorway Police will lose face if they falter, put everyone under tremendous pressure. Yet the force did not fail their officers.
NHMP took over the policing of N-5, with effect from June 2001. At that point in time, Mr. Iftikhar Rashid had been elevated as Federal Secretary Communications while the Motorway Police was an attached Department of this very Ministry. Therefore, his guidance and patronage continued. Today, Pakistan can proudly boast of only one institution, i.e. the NHMP, whose efficiency and integrity have become a quote. Perhaps for the first time in the history of Pakistan, Police is being lauded for its honesty, integrity, behaviour and public service. In the Transparency International’s Report for year 2002-03, it was stated that NHMP is the only corruption free and efficient department in the country. It was declared an “Island of Excellence” by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, who decided to remodel Islamabad Police on the pattern of Motorway Police. This task was again assigned to Mr. Iftikhar Rashid. The Islamabad Police was redesigned and made operative on the pattern of Motorway Police by the officer in 2006.
Emerging Issues:In 1997, NHMP was the best paid and well equipped department of the country. However, subsequently the situation changed. Initially due to insufficient resources and poor logistics and in 2011 when special allowance of NHMP was frozen. Resultantly, pay and perks of NHMP are now lesser than many LEAs / Departments. Meanwhile, deplorably the pioneer policemen who had laid the foundations of this department were repatriated to their parent departments unceremoniously and meekly pursuant to a court decision, in the same ranks in which they came on deputation twenty years ago. These factors have caused dismay in the force therefore good officers of other setups now show reluctance to join NHMP on deputation.
Matters are further compounded when with the expansion of Highways, Political Govts. in their endeavor to gain political mileage keep handing over newly constructed Motorways/Highways to NHMP without sanctioning any force or providing resources. Thus the department already facing shortages of manpower and logistics, is made to perform unsanctioned duties. This has compromised the standard of enforcement on Highways and Motorways to a degree and needs to be addressed urgently.
Despite all these hiccups, the force still enjoys unstained repute of honesty, efficiency and as an icon of excellence.The Inspector General Dr. Syed Kaleem Imam has taken impressively outstanding and visionary steps to sustain the efficiency and performance of the force which include;
Emergency Operations Center, Intelligent Enforcement System (IES),Paperless e-office Paperless e-challaning,NHMP Data Center,Introduction of Body worn cameras Introduction of surveillance Drone cameras,Expansion of NHMP FM-95 Radio Stations
Some planned futuristic ventures such as setting up of Motorway Vehicle Registration and Licensing Authority (MVRLA) will have a far reaching impact on saving precious lives and ensuring safety & security, besides comprehensive management of all Traffic matters. This will also play a vital role in rooting out corruption from the system. The I.G. is also working on an advanced “Road Safety and Traffic Education Plan” and examining some other crucial issues to ensure that this force should remain dynamic and does not stagnate.
Freedom, whether it is geographical, economical or religious, is a blessing. Independence and liberty plays vital role in the development of the nations, society and individuals. In 1947, the efforts and countless sacrifices under the farsighted leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, resulted in autonomy and sovereignty of our beloved country Pakistan. 14th August is the day to own, honor and commemorate the sacrifices offered for this independence and existence of this beloved land where there exist no discrimination of cast, creed, color or religion.
Now, it is our responsibility as an individual as well as nation to make our best efforts to enhance synergy and contribute in the progress of Pakistan. Both, private and public sector organizations have to play their role positively to ensure economical balance and financial stability. The institutions are required to deliver quality services to formulate and implement best strategies and governance policies. National Highways and Motorway Police is making best efforts to ensure impartial implementation of traffic rules and regulations on carriageways for safety and security of commuters. This friendly police force has become role model for other departments to cultivate and promote the culture of road safety throughout the country in order to achieve the target of accident free Highways and Motorways. NHMP values lives of all commuters and take all necessary steps to provide prompt and timely assistance to distressed road users in its Area of Responsibility. To educate general public about norms and ethics of safe and efficient driving and to facilitate people from all walks of life is the basic principal for all field formations. Let’s join hands with NHMP to make our roads safer for travelling and to protect precious human lives, limbs and property. NHMP Zindabaad and Pakistan Paaindabaad.