AJK to sign Safe City agreement with Punjab within a month, says police chief

MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Punjab government within the next month to launch a Safe City project in the territory’s three divisional headquarters with the support of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, AJK Inspector General of Police retired Captain Liaqat Ali Malik said on Tuesday.

Speaking to senior journalists at his office, the police chief said the proposed initiative would bring in artificial intelligence-based monitoring, facial recognition, e-challan services and other modern policing tools aimed at strengthening public safety, traffic regulation and crime prevention.

Mr Malik said the plan went beyond the installation of surveillance cameras and was intended to create an integrated policing framework driven by technology.

“The objective is not merely to install cameras but to establish an integrated, technology-driven policing system capable of improving emergency response, strengthening crime detection and enhancing overall public security,” Mr Malik said.

He said that once the MoU is signed, a detailed ground survey would be carried out within a month to determine sites for control rooms and installations at entry and exit points. According to the IGP, the first phase of the project will cover Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot and Mirpur, before being extended to other parts of AJK through revenue generated by the system.

The police chief said he believed the Safe City project would help improve traffic movement while also supporting evidence-based policing and more effective crime control.

Counter-terrorism department and policing capacity

Mr Malik also said he had obtained federal approval for the long-pending Counter Terrorism Department project. He said the federal government would provide Rs1.90 billion for buildings, vehicles, arms and ammunition, communications infrastructure and specialised equipment, while the AJK government had approved 472 posts for the department.

“This is a highly sensitive and important domain requiring specialised manpower, modern infrastructure and swift operational capability,” he said.

He added that a separate post of deputy inspector general should also be created for the CTD.

“A dedicated department of such importance requires an officer of DIG rank exclusively focused on operational readiness, intelligence coordination and timely decision-making,” he observed.

Mr Malik further said work was under way to establish an Elite Force, a Cyber Crime Force and a Quick Response Force to further strengthen policing in AJK.

Election preparations and protest plans

On the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections, the IGP said police had completed preliminary preparations to ensure peaceful and orderly polling. He said consultations with stakeholders on deployment needs would begin once the election schedule was announced, adding that such decisions were made collectively in line with ground realities and security assessments.

“As soon as the election schedule is announced, consultations with all stakeholders regarding deployment requirements will begin. Decisions in such matters are made collectively in accordance with ground realities and security assessments,” he said.

Mr Malik said AJK has 60 police stations, 30 police posts and 27 check posts, with a total force of around 9,800 personnel. However, after routine deployments, only about 2,000 personnel remain available for operational duties. He said an additional 4,000 to 5,000 personnel could be needed during the elections and would be arranged in consultation with the Election Commission.

Responding to a question about the strike call announced by the Joint Awami Action Committee for June 9, the IGP said police respected the constitutional right of citizens to hold peaceful protests.

“As long as demonstrations remain peaceful and within the ambit of law, there will be no action against any citizen,” he said. “I hope people have developed greater civic responsibility and realise that public infrastructure and property ultimately belong to them.”

Crime figures and public access

Highlighting the crime situation in the territory, Mr Malik said the total number of criminal cases registered in AJK this year remained below 5,000, with hardcore crimes making up only a small share.

He also said improving public access to police officers remained one of his priorities and that officers at all levels had been directed to remain accessible to citizens so grievances could be addressed quickly and trust between police and the public could be strengthened. “I have instructed officers at all levels to keep their doors open for the public because easy access to the competent authority helps resolve grievances quickly and strengthens trust between the police and the community,” he said.