Rs45m set aside for Islamabad police PPE in Covid battle not utilised.

Byline: Saleh Mughal

RAWALPINDI -- At least Rs45 million out of the total funds worth Rs72 million provided for purchasing protective gear for Punjab Police have not been utilised yet despite the alarming Covid-19 situation in the province.

Personnel of the provincial police who have been at the forefront in the efforts against the coronavirus are at a greater risk of contracting the virus.

The Express Tribune has learnt that constables and inspectors of police force are being provided two facemasks and a small bottle of sanitiser for two persons every week.

Punjab Inspector General (IG) of Police has taken notice of the situation and has given a deadline to all field commanders to utilise these funds within 14 days on purchase of essential items for protection of police force from the virus.

The IG during a meeting directed that field units should make better use of the funds. The meeting also discussed confirmed coronavirus case in the police department. It was informed that the lists being sent by the field units do not match the ones sent by the Operations Branch.

Therefore, in view of this situation, a complete record should be compiled in two weeks.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, officials of Rawalpindi police on condition of anonymity said that in the beginning they were provided with surgical facemasks regularly but now only two masks are being given in a week.

The police...