A specialised unit of the capital police, part of the National Action Plan (NAP), still remains on paper. The proposal for this force was put forth by the capital police, but it is yet to be approved.

The planned force would be similar to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) forces in other countries.

A senior police officer told Dawn that the delay is being caused because the project concept (PC) has not been approved. Additionally, he said, decisions regarding training curriculum, trainers and headquarters for the force are yet to be made.

The officer said that after the PC is approved, an advertisement would be published for recruitment in the force for constables, assistant sub-inspectors (ASI) and other staff. “Proposals would also be invited for weapons and other equipment,” he said.

The biggest hurdle, the officer said, is the need to acquire land for a building.

“When the PC was initially submitted, the issue of land had not been discussed. Later, when it was realised that land would be needed, the PC had to be revised,” he said.

There was no space available at the Police Lines Headquarters to house this new force and the request for 200 to 300 acres was put up, the official said.

“The Capital Development Authority (CDA) was approached and a written request was submitted through the Chief Commissioner’s Office,” he said.

Another senior police official explained that the land is required for a building which would house the offices for the force, area for training personnel, an arsenal store and a garage for vehicles.

The CDA was requested to arrange land in the outskirts of Islamabad, as more space is required for a training institute.

“No particular area has been suggested but the eastern side of the city is preferred over Tarnol or Sihala,” he said.

The official said that the construction of a building for the headquarters may take a year but acquiring of land and making funding available may take longer.

Similarly, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Security Division was also asked to prepare a training curriculum for the force, he said. He added that it would be made according to international standards followed in countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia.

The DIG was asked to consult the SWAT forces in the two countries to design the curriculum.

“The SWAT forces in these two countries are considered to be the best in the world,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2015

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