ISLAMABAD: The capital police have reduced the number of checkposts on busy roads to half - from 24 to 12 - and increased patrolling to counter crime, facilitate commuters and restore normal traffic flow, Inspector General of Police (IGP) retired Captain Sohail Chaudhry said on Monday.

Speaking at a meeting with a delegation of Islamabad High Court Journalists Association (IHCJA), the police chief said the remaining checkposts were being streamlined to minimise inconvenience to commuters while maintaining effective security arrangements.

He said police checkposts at E-7, F-7, Daman-i-Koh and the busy Motorway Link Road had been removed as part of the exercise to facilitate the movement of citizens. The strategy, he added, was to rely more on mobile patrolling than fixed checkpoints to maintain law and order and respond promptly to criminal activities.

The IG said he had ordered the immediate removal of containers from roads as soon as the situation in the federal capital returned to normal, allowing routine activities to resume and easing difficulties faced by citizens.

He revealed a shift in the decision of registration of First Information Report (FIR) for speeding and minor traffic crimes so someone with clean record may not be stigmatised.

Furthermore, vehicles driven by unlicenced drivers would be impounded until they obtained the valid licence.

He said that an operation against sheesha centres was being conducted in accordance with the directions issued by the Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court.

The participants discussed ways to improve coordination between the police and court reporters with an emphasis on professional cooperation and the timely provision of accurate and verified information to the public.

Both sides expressed their commitment to maintaining constructive engagement and strengthening working relations between the police and the media.

Speaking about the challenges following his appointment, Mr Chaudhry said several issues required attention, but the situation was gradually returning to normal. He said the removal of containers and reduction in checkpoints were intended to facilitate citizens without compromising public safety.

The police chief also highlighted his approach to addressing the grievances of police personnel, saying he believed that resolving their problems was essential to improving the force’s performance.

He said he prioritised meetings with low-ranking personnel, including constables, to understand their problems and ensure that their voices were heard.

The meeting concluded with an emphasis on continuing cooperation between the police and the IHCJA to improve communication, promote responsible reporting and ensure that the public received accurate information in a timely manner.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2026