Peshawar    -  A project titled “Asaan Insaf Markaz” (Easy Justice Centres) worth Rs370 million has been approved for police stations in the provincial capital.

Briefing journalists at Malik Saad Shaheed Police Lines, Capital City Police Officer Abbas Ahsan said that as per the decisions taken in a meeting with the KP chief minister, the police stations were being revamped under the plan.

Explaining the project, he said front desks were being set up in police stations while four cameras would be installed in each station, ie one each at entrance, front desk, lockup and SHO office.

“Under the project, machines would be installed in each police station where a visitor would first receive a token number and then he or she would be attended as per their number. Also, each complaint would have an e-tag that might also be converted into an FIR,” he added.

He said all records including the assigning of cases to investigation officers and transfers would also be digitised. He said the digitisation would also ensure a database of criminals and it would also help the police in checking someone’s data and record digitally.

“Another part of the project is that each police station would be divided into three parts, ie living area, working area and restricted area, which would all be totally separate from one another. He said three units were being set up in each station to deal with cases of offences against persons, offences against property and actions against narcotics.

He also said that trackers were being installed in police vans and this would not only ensure monitoring of patrolling parties but would also help senior officials dispatch a vehicle to a nearest crime or emergency scene.

“The women desks already set up at police stations are being converted into desks for vulnerable groups and these would handle cases of women, transgender and senior citizens. These desks would also be linked to the crisis centres and social welfare department,” Abbas added.

To a query about the cost of the project, the official said that in the first phase, the project is being implemented in five police stations at an estimated cost of Rs100 million and in the second phase, 17 other police stations would cost Rs270 million.