IGP inaugurates command centre

MINGORA: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Akhtar Hayat Khan visited the district police office (DPO) in Swat, where he inaugurated a command and control centre.

Regional Police Officer Malakand Muhammad Ali Khan, Deputy Commissioner Swat Dr Qasim Ali Khan, DPO Shafiullah Gandapur, other police officers, the presidents of the trader federation and bar association, and members of the DRC were also present on the occasion.

DPO Shafiullah Gandapur briefed the IGP on the command-and-control centre, stating that CCTV cameras have been installed at all entry and exit routes of Swat district, including markets, various points, highways, and sensitive locations.

The centre will operate 24 hours a day. In the initial phase, 350 cameras will connect all markets of Barikot and City circles, important highways, sensitive areas, and entrances and exits of Swat district to the command and control centre. An additional 450 cameras will be linked soon, and after completing phase one, work on phase two would commence for the installation of 800 more cameras.

Speaking on the occasion, Akhtar Hayat said that similar centres have been established in other districts, while work on some is still ongoing.

Regarding their utility, he explained that the control centres would facilitate crime prevention and detection through modern

cameras.

“This initiative aims to protect lives and property, closely monitor criminal elements, and handle traffic flow, accidents, and untoward incidents,” he claimed.

The cameras would also be used in pre-election activities and during elections and post-election activities for monitoring purposes, he added.