Roads network play important role in country’s development: PM
ISLAMABAD, Jul 23 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Saturday said effective, safe and improved communication and road infrastructure play an important role in the development of the country.  Addressing 13th annual award distributing ceremony of National Highways and Motorways Police here at PM Secretariat, the Prime Minister said, “A developed and secure road network is a key to making it possible for development of the country.” Appreciating the efficiency and performance of Motorway Police, he said the initiatives taken by it to educate the public about road safety and traffic rules are also bearing fruit.
“We can see its positive results in the shape of civilized behavior on the roads,” he said.
Highlighting the issue of terrorism and measures being taken by the government to fight it, the Prime Minister appreciated the initiatives taken by the Motorway Police to combat terrorism.
He said, “Terrorism is a challenge that requires readiness and unity of purpose from all segments of the society.”
He said the officers in law enforcement services have the greatest responsibility in this regard.
He said, “The government treats menace of terrorism as the most daunting challenge, facing our state and society.”
“We will do everything we can to empower and enable the National Highways and Motorway Police to combat it,” he said.
He also paid homage to the Motorway Police employees who laid their lives in the line of duty while providing protection and security to the general public.The Prime Minister said the Government is committed to providing safety and security to the people on all the highways and motorways.
He said enforcement of law is always seen as a strict and rigid practice but the Motorway Police is proving to be the soft face of the Government in implementing the law.
“It is quite pleasing to know that the effectiveness of the friendly culture introduced by this force is bearing results in the form of decrease in accident rates, traffic violations and serious crimes on our highways,”said the Prime Minister.
Gilani said it goes without saying that collective discipline of any nation is manifested from its behaviour on the roads.
He said the promotion of traffic culture is not merely possible through application of traffic rules and regulations only adding that it has to be complemented by a consistent effort to educate and motivate the people through enhanced awareness.
The Prime Minister congratulated National Highways & Motorway Police on continuing the tradition of honouring and recognizing professional excellence and commitment.
He said achievements of the force and its progress are a source of great satisfaction and pride for the nation.
Congratulating those officials of Motorway Police who were given awards today, the Prime Minister said, “I have firm belief that this dedication and soft policing spirit will continue to add laurels to the excellent track record of this force”
He also appreciated that Motorway Police is expanding its operation to other national arteries like the RCD Highway, Sukkur-Jacobabad- Quetta road and Hassanabdal - Mansehra Highway.
He said it will be certainly a challenging task for the Motorway Police.
The Prime Minister said the government is firmly committed to the principle of merit and a level playing field for everyone.
“We firmly believe that this is a pre-requisite to good governance. We believe that this principle has to be adhered to both during induction and placement of officials,” he added.
Gilani said delivery of services can only improve through a merit-based and transparent system.
The Prime Minister also appreciated Motorway Police for providing job opportunities available for the women and minorities by ensuring equality in the recruitment process.
He said it in line with the government’s policy of encouraging women and minorities to join the public sector. 
The Prime Minister said the enforcement of rule of law in its true spirit has earned Motorway Police a great public recognition and respect.
He said facilitating Motorway Police has always remained the priority of the present Government and added that he had issued special orders to the concerned authorities to implement all previous directives issued on the last Award Ceremony - 2009. 
Earlier, the Minister for Communication Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan speaking on the occasion Motorway Police had maintained a standard of service to provide safe and secure atmosphere to the people on the roads.
He said with the opening of new corridors, the responsibilities of the Motorway Police are being increased that required more funds to continue the high standard.
He said safety of the people at the roads is the most important for the Motorway Police and assured that it will continue in future without any compromise.
Secretary Communication Anwar Ahmed Khan and Inspector General National Highways and Motorway Police Zafar Ullah Khan also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the achievements of the Motorway Police.
Inspector General Motorway Police Zafar Ullah Khan said 37 officers of the force laid their lives in line of duty to ensure security to the motorists on the highways.
He said besides Mobile Education Units, the Motorway Police has also established 19 Road Safety Institutions for training of the drivers.
He said the accident rate has been reduced by 70 percent following the formation of Motorway Police.
Later, the Prime Minister distributed awards among 32 officers of Motorway Police including five lady police officials.
Who received awards this year include Mazhar ul Haq, Anis uddin, Faraz Hashim, Zubair Anwar, Ayub Khan, Abdul Hasnat, Raja Majid, Shahid Abbas Gilani, Sadaqat Ali, Azeem Khan Zardari, Basharat Ali, Sohail Ahmed Butt, Asmat Bashir, Nabeela Yasmeen, Noreen Syed, Muhammad Tayyab, Muhammad Anwaar, Mian Musharraf Gul, Farhat Bashir, Zulfiqar Ali, Asif Nazir, Muhammad Ibrahim, Imran Khan, Abid Khan, Badar ul Hasan, Sadiqa Sultana, Rana Rafiq, Abbas Peter, Tanvir Michael, Faisal Malik, Iqbal Javed and Sajida Parveen.