Latest news with #DolphinForce
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Jail vocational drive inspired by Turkiye, says official
Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi has said that several security initiatives in Punjab, such as the Safe Cities Project and Dolphin Force, have been modeled on successful practices in Turkiye. He said during a meeting with Turkish Consul General Durmus Bastug that vocational training programmes inspired by Turkiye's prison reforms had been introduced in Punjab's prisons to rehabilitate inmates and enable their reintegration into the society. Dr Qazi briefed the consul general on the law and order situation in Punjab and highlighted the professional capabilities of the province's security institutions. Durmus Bastug praised the longstanding and exemplary relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye, stating, "A strong Pakistan is synonymous with a strong Turkiye." He expressed pride in Pakistan's development and reaffirmed Turkiye's unwavering support for its brotherly nation. He also underscored Turkiye's interest in expanding cooperation in key areas such as technology, security, education and industry. The home secretary said the civil defence system in the province was being modernised through the provision of bomb disposal robots and airlift drones. The use of technology and enhanced training is significantly contributing to public safety efforts, he added. He informed the diplomat that law enforcement agencies had been equipped with modern tools, and criminal record had been digitised. Plans are under way to send prison officers to Turkiye for training and capacity-building visits.
Business Recorder
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Comprehensive security plan finalised for Muharram: Azma
LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has confirmed that Rangers and army personnel have been called in to support security during Muharram. 'Several sleeper cells have already been detained by security agencies, and surveillance of other threats is ongoing,' she said, while talking to media, here on Thursday. On the directives of chief minister Punjab, all necessary preparations to maintain law and order during Muharram have been completed across the province, Azma said. 'In the light of the ongoing Iran-Israel tensions, this year's Muharram holds special significance. Therefore, religious scholars from all schools of thought have been urged to promote messages of peace, tolerance and unity.' Azma Bokhari shared that over 38,000 Majalis and more than 9,000 processions are expected across Punjab. To secure these events, over 238,000 police officers and personnel will be deployed, along with 35,000 volunteers. Specialized units including Dolphin Force and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) will also remain active, she added. She maintained that a strict Code of Conduct has been issued and will be strictly enforced. Any hate content on social media will be dealt with immediately, and the cyber security force is fully mobilized in this regard. Azma Bokhari emphasised that there will be a complete ban on the use of drones for coverage or any other purposes during Muharram. Anti-drone systems will be deployed, and additional systems are being hired from other agencies. She also said that hanging electric wires are being urgently repaired and there will be no power outages during Majalis. Control rooms have been established in all major cities and are now operational. Wall chalking and hate banners will be completely banned. In 18 cities across Punjab, she said, Safe City cameras will monitor processions, and additional cameras are being installed along procession routes'. Azma Bokhari further informed media that cold water and beverage stalls will be set up for mourners as per the chief minister's directions. All Sabeels will be registered and monitored by the Food Department to ensure quality. WASA water tankers will sprinkle water on roads, and 'Clinics on Wheels' will accompany processions, she added. A detailed traffic management plan has also been prepared. District administrations will issue traffic advisories 24 hours prior to processions, and all relevant officers will assume their positions before June 29, she said. She concluded by saying that the suspension of mobile services and ban on pillion riding will be decided in due course based on the law and order situation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Police women patrol markets
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the deployment of Women Police Squads in the major markets in the province. Patrolling has been started in markets across the province to ensure the protection of women and children. The Women Police Squads will patrol the markets during peak hours on foot, bicycles and motorbikes. The squads will prevent incidents of harassment of women shopping in the markets and monitor the activities of anti-social elements. Due to crowding in the markets for Eid shopping, the squads will help in preventing robberies and snatching of mobile phones and wallets. The women Police Squads have started patrolling major commercial centres in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Chiniot, Burewala, Vehari, Khanewal and other cities. A special squad of Dolphin Police Force has also been deployed in Lahore for providing protection and assistance to women and children in the markets. Dolphin Force's Quick Response Cycle Squad has been deployed at 65 major commercial centres in Lahore. The squad is patrolling in DHA Raya Club, Ichhra, Anarkali and Liberty markets. According to an official statement, the Dolphin bicycle squad and Police Response Units will also be deployed to perform patrolling duties along with the quick response squad. More than 4,000 police personnel will be deployed for special squad duty across Lahore. The units of Dolphin Force will patrol the markets after Iftar till the markets close. The squad on bicycles will patrol famous streets, bazaars and crowded areas. The first Women Police Squad has been mobiliwed in Okara and constables on foot, bicycles and motorcycles have started patrolling crowded bazaars.
Express Tribune
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pindi transforms into night-time cricket arena
As the holy month of Ramazan begins, the streets and neighbourhoods of Rawalpindi have turned into makeshift cricket grounds, with enthusiastic young players taking over the city from 9pm to 4am. These impromptu matches have disrupted traffic on roads and in markets, causing congestion. Youth can be seen playing cricket in streets, alleys, and marketplaces throughout the night, creating a noisy spectacle that disturbs residents. Despite the commotion, law enforcement, including mobile police units and the Dolphin Force, largely ignore the situation, driving past the street players without intervention. Any attempt by authorities or locals to stop the matches is met with resistance. Several neighbourhoods, including Dhoke Khabba, Dhoke Ratta, Mukha Singh Estate, Dhoke Ilahi Bakhsh, Arya Mohalla, Muslim Town, Dhoke Kala Khan, and Satellite Town, have transformed into night-time cricket arenas. Many areas have even organised Ramazan night cricket tournaments, attracting teams from across the city. The matches have led to frequent disturbances, with cricket balls smashing windows, hitting passersby, and colliding with vehicles, often leading to heated arguments and fights. Citizens complain that the noise from these matches also disrupts Taraweeh prayers in mosques and affects the sleep of elders and fasting individuals. Defending their late-night games, young players argue that the city lacks proper sports grounds. "If we stop playing cricket too, where should we go?" asked Faisal, Kamil Hassan, Shaban, and Abdullah, who regularly participate in these matches. "We are not doing anything illegal. If we are not allowed to play in the streets, then provide us with proper sports facilities." On the other hand, local residents like Haji Manan and Ghayoor Khan urge the youth to play responsibly. "We have no issue with them playing cricket, but they should not create excessive noise, disrupt traffic, or break windows," they said. With no intervention in sight, these night tournaments are expected to continue until Chaand Raat (the night before Eid). The growing popularity of these night-time cricket matches highlights the need for more recreational spaces and facilities for the youth of Rawalpindi. While their enthusiasm for the sport is commendable, the lack of proper infrastructure is pushing them to use public spaces, causing disturbances for other residents. Authorities are now being urged to find a long-term solution to ensure that the youth can enjoy their passion for cricket without inconveniencing the wider community. The situation calls for a balance between youth engagement and maintaining peace and order in the city.
Express Tribune
22-02-2025
- Express Tribune
Flyers flout ban as kites take over Pindi skies
Kite enthusiasts in Rawalpindi ignored the strict ban and openly celebrated the Basant Festival on Friday. Despite warnings of 10-year imprisonment and fines of up to Rs5 million, the residents transformed the skies into a kaleidoscope of colours, engaging in intense aerial firing and firecracker celebrations for four hours. The police and Dolphin Force struggled to maintain control as kite flyers mocked the authorities, ignoring police patrols and announcements from mosques warning of arrests. Rooftops were filled with kite flyers, and the sound of "Bo-Kata" resonated throughout the city. Young motorcyclists rode with wires attached to their bikes to avoid metal strings while the police chased kite flyers across rooftops. The police briefly maintained control from 10am to 2pm on Friday, but kite flyers took to the rooftops after Friday prayers, dominating the skies until sunset. At 2pm after Friday prayers, the kite fliers came out on the roofs of houses and plazas and continued to fly for four and a half hours from 2pm to 6:30pm, rendering the police's efforts to curb the celebrations over the past 20 days futile. Despite the crackdown, Basant celebrations in Rawalpindi remained vibrant and defiant, with the residents determined to keep the festival's spirit alive. Police continue crackdown According to a police spokesman, the police teams remained busy in arresting kite flyers. Cases will be registered against the owners of the houses who used their rooftops for kite flying, he said, adding that they were identifying kite flyers through videos. Kite flying is a crime and action will be taken against those involved in this crime, said the spokesman. The police teams claimed to have arrested 115 kite flyers. Areas like Waris Khan, Bani, Ratta Amral, City, New Town, Saddar, and Ganj mandi became hubs of Basant celebrations. Women were also seen flying kites. The children of the police officers also kept fighting in the police quarters of Jhanda Chichi. Kalashnikov, Triple Two, Moser, and 30-bore pistols were fired heavily. Heavy firing from Kalashnikovs, TT pistols, and other weapons echoed across densely populated areas, including Bhabhra Bazaar, Shah Chirag, Mohalla Shah Nazar, Amirpura, Teli Mohalla, Commodity Market, Chah Sultan, Aria Mohalla, Saddar, Muslim Town, Dhok Khabba, Dhok Ilahi Bakhsh, Nadeem Colony, Javed Colony, Moti Bazaar, Purana Qila, Bani Mohalla, Kartarpura, Dhok Farman Ali, Glass Factory Road and Waris Kahn. JI distribute safety rods Under the auspices of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Youth, safety rods were distributed among motorcyclists to protect them from kite strings. JI District Deputy Chief Raza Ahmed Shah said that kite flying has become a deadly sport, causing hundreds of accidents. He urged citizens to boycott the game and parents need to play their roles in ending this bloody sport. JI Youth Rawalpindi District President Bilal Zahoor said that kite flying causes both life and financial losses. He stressed that kite flying complete eradication is the need of the hour. JI would continue to provide voluntary services to eliminate this life-threatening activity, he said. SP Rawal Muhammad Haseeb Raja, DSP Malik Rafaqat and others informed the public about the harms of kite flying.
