Harassment at checkpoints draws flak

A Senate panel on Tuesday raised serious concerns over the alleged harassment of citizens travelling between provinces at security check posts, calling for stricter oversight of police conduct and urging authorities to ensure that security measures did not come at the expense of citizens' rights and local traditions. Members of the Senate Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), particularly Senators Rubina Khalid and Aimal Wali Khan, highlighted difficulties faced by travellers over CNIC and domicile checks, while concerns were also raised over searches in tribal areas, including the handling of women's privacy and purdah. The committee was told that heightened security checks were being carried out in response to continuing daily threat alerts. However, members stressed that police personnel must improve their behaviour and conduct at checkpoints. The committee also discussed delays and restrictions affecting the movement of essential commodities, particularly wheat, amid concerns over road blockades and the placement of containers. Officials from the police and food departments briefed the panel on security arrangements, border checkpoints and grain supplies, while the committee called for closer coordination among the federating units to facilitate the movement of people and goods. The regional police officer (RPO) Rawalpindi reported that 31 cross-border check posts are currently operational in the province, with personnel deployed across 15 critical security locations/check posts. Although only three incidents have been reported since January, he added that continuous daily threat alerts necessitate strict checking at all security posts. While these heightened security measures cause temporary disruption and inconvenience to citizens, they remain essential for maintaining overall public safety and national security. Senator Hidayatullah and other committee members noted that while the public understands the security compulsions, police personnel must improve their behaviour and conduct at checkpoints. They acknowledged that police performance was under severe strain due to a heavy workload, fatigue and a critical shortage of resources. Senator Wali highlighted regional disparities, pointing out that Punjab remains relatively secure in terms of law and order compared to other regions where conditions are worse. Additionally, Senator Wali raised serious concerns regarding searches in tribal areas, emphasising that local cultural norms surrounding women's privacy, specifically in relation to purdah and burqa searches, must be handled with the utmost respect to prevent public distress.