Islamabad (Digital Post) Islamabad Traffic Police: Increase in Incidents of Misbehavior with Citizens
Share
Islamabad (Digital Post) Incidents of misbehavior by Islamabad Traffic Police personnel with citizens are on the rise. Most personnel are facing psychological issues due to continuous duties, lack of rest, sleep deprivation, and pressure from senior officers. As a result, incidents of arguments with citizens in an irritable and harsh tone have become routine.
Commenting on the situation, a large number of working-class citizens from various professions, during a “public survey,” stated that the Traffic Police merely uses social media as a showpiece and for marketing public services, portraying courteous behavior toward citizens—which, according to them, appears to be reserved for the elite class. In contrast, the behavior of traffic personnel standing on the roads with ordinary citizens is opposite and often humiliating.
Despite a flood of incidents on social media involving traffic police personnel misbehaving with car and motorcycle riders over traffic violations, and allegations of bribery, there has hardly ever been any response or clarification from senior ITP officers or their spokesperson. Traffic Chief Captain (Retd.) Hamza is seen doing podcasts for personal publicity, while showing little interest in the problems faced by ordinary citizens stuck in traffic.
According to citizens, subordinate staff have such a strong grip on the system that issues never reach senior officers sitting in big offices; instead, only “everything is fine” reports are forwarded. Citizens believe that everyone is busy safeguarding their own positions and engaging in personal gains, which are the main reasons behind the rise in corruption and apathy.
On the other hand, in Rawalpindi, citizens say that the problems of traffic police personnel are somewhat different. Traffic staff deployed at Murree Road, Bhabra Bazaar Point, Chandni Chowk, Sixth Road, Pirwadhai Circle, Commercial Market, and Double Road have to accommodate influential political figures and powerful traders.
In congested areas, illegal parking lots, parking plazas, goods transport hubs, and bus stands are backed by influential and powerful personalities of the city. According to residents of city areas such as Glass Factory Area, Asghar Mall, Banni Chowk, Saidpur, Holy Family, Siddiqui Chowk, and Khayaban, removal of certain encroachments could resolve traffic problems to a significant extent.
