Curbing extortion: PM orders reduction in check posts on highways

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered a reduction in the number of check posts on highways while taking note of reports of money being extorted from transporters.

The directive was conveyed to the relevant officials via a letter by Secretary to Prime Minister, Azam Khan addressed to secretary interior, secretary narcotics, Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) chairman, all chief secretaries, Islamabad Capital Territory chief commissioner, and all Inspector generals of police.

The highways mentioned in the prime minister’s letter include the National Highway i.e. Karachi to Torkhum route, Karachi-Chaman route among others. The letter has directed the authorities concerned to clamp down on their respective departments.

The letter stated that apart from increasing the cost of transportation and doing business, this extortion, being committed by security and law enforcement agencies created inconvenience for the pubic, corrupted society and brought a bad name to government institutions.

It further stated, “This exercise of getting illegal gratification and extortion is ample proof of either weak supervisory regime or implied connivance of this activity.”

The letter went on to state that the government’s Efficiency and Discipline (E&D) rules were being violated and implied that money collected through illegal means was being distributed among the senior ranks of the departments involved.

The letter further called for the prime minister’s directive to be implemented no later than 5th Oct after which action would be taken against supervisory officers, which include administrative heads of ministry and organization.

The letter further added, “In a case where no action is taken against the supervisory officer by the concerned administrative officer, action will be initiated against Chief Secretaries, IGs (Inspector Generals), DGs (Director Generals).”

It is to mention here that all the concerned organizations have been advised to take immediate action to implement the above said directions and a report thereof would be submitted within the given timeline.

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