The civilized nation always adopts peaceful way of protest : Zulfiqar Cheema

Lahore: The true followers of Prophet PBUH open the paths instead of blocking it. The perfection of Muslim reflects in its talks and Character. National Highways & Motorways are the lifeline of country and it should never block. The civilized nation always adopts peaceful way of protest instead of damaging property or creating nuisance of people. Islam teaches us to remove hurdles from passageways.

This is said by former Inspector General Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema while speaking in a Road Safety Seminar titled “Emergency Response in Crisis-Like Situations” organized by National Highways & Motorway Police here at Lahore.

Inspector General Motorway Police Allah Dino Khawaja, Additional IG Khalid Mehmood, CCPO Lahore Add IG, B.A Nasir, DIG Central Zone Ahmad Arslan Malik, DG Rescue 1122 Dr. Rizwan Naseer, SSP MasroorAlamKolachi , SSP Rana Ayaz Saleem ,renowned Clinical Psychologist Ms. Nazia Bashir and renowned writer/novelist Amna Mufti.

A large number of people from all segment of the society including media persons, transporters, lawyers, traders, educationists, students, member of civil society etc. attended the event.

Addressing the participants former Inspector General Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema said a positive change in the behavior of masses is need of the day. The better coordination is vital among the institutions to promote brotherhood and mutual tolerance.

He acknowledged the role of Motorway Police in promoting the cause of road safety which was an unknown notion before its inception. He also admired the standards of excellence, professionalism and public service-oriented policies of Motorway Police.

Inspector General NH&MP Allah Dino Khawaja briefed the audience as how Motorway Police became ‘Icon of Excellence’ by transformation from conventional coercive policing to reformative public friendly policing.

IG NH&MP stressed the need to identify potential areas of improvement in implementation, execution, coordination and monitoring mechanism in any crisis-like situation. IG Allah Dino Khawaja further said Motorway Police did tremendous job while in recent blockage of national highways and motorways by facilitating road users. Motorway Police had played vital role in rescuing British Nationals and Sikh Yatris with the help of Pak Army during recent country wide protest, he further added.

DG Rescue 1122 Dr Rizwan Naseer while speaking with audience said traffic accident is leading cause of death in Pakistan and all institution should play their role to lower down the accidents ratio.

In seminar, Clinical Psychologist Ms. Nazia Bashir highlighted psychological impact of crisis situation such as vandalism, roads block, accidents and related disasters on public. Such situations hit directly the mental well-being of individuals as it causes threat, agitation and frustration intolerance in them. As a result, there is need to promote healthy behaviors and thinking style along with training to deliver psychological first aid in public.

Renowned writer/novelist Amna Mufti also highlighted the psychological and emotional trauma face by the victims of accidents and their families.

At the end of the ceremony, the chief guest distributed prizes among officers of NH&MP who performed exceptionally well in discharge of their official duties.