Capital Cops send relief contingent to AJK
39,000 dead, 65,000 injured countrywide in disastrous earthquake, says Sherpao
Lauds Capital Cops’ relief activities at Margalla Towers
By Uzma Zafar

ISLAMABAD—”39,000 have lost their lives while 65,000 are reported injured in the disastrous earthquake that hit our country, here on 8th October. The toll might escalate further by the evening. However, it’s not the international aid only with which we have managed to counter the situation but hand but, in fact, it was the fervor with which our masses have contributed towards the relief efforts for quake-hit areas is what has made the mission successful and I hope that the Capital Cops’ contingent would holdfast to this fervor while delivering at the affected areas.”
These views were stated by Federal Minister for Interior; Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, while addressing the journalists, at seeing off ceremony of Capital Cops’ contingent of personnel along relief goods, for quake-hit Bagh area at AJK, at Rescue-15 Center, here this Monday. Federal Minister of State for Interior; Senator Shahzad Waseem, Secretary Interior; Syed Kamal Shah, Chief Commissioner Islamabad; Khalid Pervez, IGP; Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmad, Deputy Commissioner; Chaudhry Muhammad Ali, SSP Islamabad; Sikandar Hyatt, SP Traffic; Sultan Azam Temuri, SP Zubair Hashmi, SP Taimoor Ali, SP Ehsan Sadiq, ASP Ashfaq, ASP Tahir and DSP Rescue; Ashfaq along all SPs, ASPs, DSPs and SHOs were also present at the occasion.
The Minister further briefed, “The cops’ contingent is being sent for the rehabilitation of quake victims at quake-hit area; Bagh and reconstruction of their destroyed homes and buildings. We had underlined the focal points and work is underway on them.” He said that at a highly advanced country like the US even, where communication is intact and fast paced, the victims of Hurricane Katrina were found wailing and crying for aid. Thus, the anger and fury of masses for not getting timely aid in a country like ours where resources are meager was kind of harsh on the rescue workers.
He said that the major responsibilities of the relief cops’ personnel would remain of providing shelter to the survivors, especially kids, consolidating with the bereaved, and safely landing the relief items at their marked destinations and prevent the trucks from looting on the way, thus distributing the relief goods amongst the right people, at the right destination. The Minister said that there were not enough relief tents in the country and steel sheets, blue plastic and tents were being awaited as aid from the foreign countries.
He disclosed that the Interior Ministry has tasked Chairman NADRA to do the mapping of quake survivors and deceased in the catastrophe so that the information could be linked to their inquiring relatives and security could also be effectively maintained. About the exact death toll, Sherpao stated that there was no hiding in it but the government wanted no exaggeration in this regard and wished to maintain credibility in the information. Thus, only the confirmed figures were being given out.
About blocked roads, he explained, “Most of the roads are open for traffic as there was no relief operation there this Sunday. However, there are certain landslides at various spots, but all minor, nothing major. Neelam Valley and Jhelum Valley along Kaghan Road at Balakot are still blocked and opening them at the earliest is our topmost priority”, he said. The Minister felt his sorrow at the recent helicopter tragedy and expressed his condolences with the families of the bereaved, who were told that their relatives on the copter were missing in the day while at night their deaths were confirmed.
Earlier, addressing the cops being sent for relief efforts, the minister lauded Capital Cops’ efforts in rescue operation at Margalla Towers at the day of the quake and hoped that the personnel would maintain the same fervor while dealing with the quake victims at their sent destination and set an example for all other rescuers there. “When the quake occurred, my ministry and Capital Cops were the ones who came to know about the Margalla Towers’ destruction, way before anyone could reach the site. I am very proud of the Capital Cops, Elite Force, Rescue-15 teams, who undertook heroic efforts, formed human chain, carried just the right kind of attitude and saved many lives.” He said that the capability of any Force could be gauged from it’s efforts in the hour of need and the cops had thus, proved their mantle there.
He urged the cop personnel to carry the same fervor at AJK. “The people that have lost their lives, cannot come back. However, the lives of those who have survived, have to be improved”, he maintained. “600 Punjab Police personnel and 550 Rangers are already at work at the place you are being sent to. Thus it’s up to you to make a memorable mark and set an example there, for all rescuers in place while maintaining the overall law and order situation as well”, he held.
IGP Islamabad; Iftikhar Ahmad Chaudhry, addressing the cop contingent, urged them to counter their temper while delivering at the quake-hit area as relief work was difficult anyway but for the men in uniform, it was a doubly tedious feat. “All eyes would be in you. Do deliver with love and in civilized manner as this would be an opportunity for you not only to serve your duties effectively but to earn a place in the hearts of the masses, while serving them as a human being, eliminating their pre-conceived notions about cops in the process”, he said.
“Your relief work would require total commitment, and dedication with extreme cold and long duty hours. If someone out here, due to some familial disturbances or any other reason, does not want to be part of this operation which is by the way your duty as well as responsibility as a human being, feel free to contact me in person”, he assured. However, the volunteers held steadfast to their decision. He directed the personnel to be extra patient with the masses while keeping the temper in control and keep in mind that they were humans serving humanity for it would in turn elevate the name of Capital Cops at large as otherwise the whole exercise would be rendered fruitless. He requested them to perform their best and hoped that there would be no complaint in this regard.
The contingent of 140 Capital Cops sent on relief duties in AJK, included 1 inspector, 10 sub-inspectors, 1 assistant sub-inspector, 100 constables along Traffic Cops comprising 1 inspector, 5 assistant sub-inspectors and 23 sub-inspectors.11 truckloads of relief items have also been sent carrying daily use items like tents, blankets, beds, warm clothes, rice, flour, ghee and drugs, etc. It is pertinent to mention here that the personnel of Capital Cops had also donated earlier, Rs.55lac off their salaries, to the President’s Relief Fund for quake affectees.