Rawalpindi police have formally requested the allocation of 320 kanals of land in Mouza Khassala for the construction of a second Police Lines, citing acute space constraints at the existing facility. The demand was made in a letter from the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Rawalpindi to the Deputy Commissioner, a copy of which is available with this correspondent.
Existing Police Lines Overcrowded
The letter states that Police Lines No. 01, located at Civil Lines on old Airport Road, was established in 1864 and is currently operating under severe space limitations. In addition to its core infrastructure, multiple allied units are also functioning within the same premises, including the headquarters of the Rawalpindi Motor Pool (RMP) and PHP, camp offices of the Commandant of Police College Sihala and Battalion Commander of Police Center-2 Rawat Rawalpindi, the Motor Transport Section of the City Traffic Police Rawalpindi, and offices and barracks of Telecommunication Staff. This has resulted in considerable congestion, and no further expansion or establishment of new facilities is feasible at the existing site.
Missing Essential Facilities
The DIG further highlighted that essential operational facilities are not available at Police Lines No. 01 due to the non-availability of sufficient land. These include a Training Centre, Short Firing Range, barracks for borrowing forces for security and law and order duties, stables for horses, a parade ground, Motor Transport Section, sports ground, and canteen. “The absence of these critical establishments is primarily due to the non-availability of sufficient land,” the letter noted.
In view of these constraints, the DIG proposed the establishment of Police Lines No. 02 in Rawalpindi to cater to present and future operational and administrative requirements. According to the letter, a survey has already been conducted, and land located in Mouza Khasaala (Shamilat Deh) has been identified as suitable and feasible. “The said land is vacant and, keeping in view the prevailing law and order situation, allocation/allotment of 300 kanals of proposed land for this purpose is considered imperative.”
Additional Land for Offices and Residences
Furthermore, the DIG wrote that the District Police require additional construction of essential offices and residential facilities, including the office and residence of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Saddar Circle, Rawalpindi; a Smart Police Station Saddar Berooni; the residence of the Station House Officer (SHO) of PS Saddar Berooni; and five residential quarters for investigation officers and junior ranks. “For the above-mentioned facilities, an additional area measuring 20 kanals in Mouza Khasaala is also required.”
The DIG has requested that a total of 320 kanals of land situated in Mouza Khasaala be allocated/transferred in favour of the Police Department. The development, construction, and establishment of Police Lines No. 02, Rawalpindi and the allied facilities shall be undertaken by the Police Department itself, according to the letter.
