"Push Start Police 66"
Budget of crores, but officials are still forced to patrol on dilapidated mobile phones
Claims of equipping Karachi police with modern facilities have once again been proven false.
Citizens and security experts have expressed serious concern over the situation.
Karachi (Crime Reporter) Claims of equipping Karachi police with modern facilities have once again proven to be empty. Despite the Sindh government approving a budget of crores of rupees for the improvement of police mobiles in 2024, police personnel in various police stations of the city are still forced to patrol in dilapidated push-start mobiles. According to documents, the Sindh cabinet in May 2024 approved more than Rs. 177 crore for the purchase of essential vehicles, ambulances, prisons and other operational resources required by the police. According to the budget, more than 100 new vehicles were to be provided to the police department to help control crime and provide safe and efficient travel facilities to the personnel. However, the ground realities completely negate these announcements. Police mobiles are still in a very dilapidated condition in several police stations of the city, especially in areas like Azizabad, Harabad, Pirabad, Surjani, Korangi, Landhi and Orangi. Some police stations still have mobiles that are started by pushing, which not only pose a risk of failure, but also the wireless stem and lights are inoperative. According to police sources, the higher authorities have been repeatedly informed about the poor condition of these vehicles, but no significant action has been taken so far. Some officers say that the discussion was approved, but most of the funds were not released or were used in an inappropriate manner. Citizens and security experts have expressed serious concern over this situation and said that if the law enforcement agencies themselves patrol in unsafe conditions, it is not possible to maintain law and order in the city. There is a public demand that a transparent investigation be conducted into the budget spending and the police be provided with modern, functional and safe mobile vehicles immediately.