CITIZEN TRAFFIC COMMITTEE  ISLAMABAD

It is an established fact that no police force in the world can succeed in bringing down the crimes without the help and assistance of the public.  Society therefore works in the shape of a triangle namely:  The police, the public and the criminals.  Combination of any two of these can make the life difficult for the third.  Keeping this phenomenon in mind, the Citizen Traffic Committee, Islamabad was formed in 1993.  In 1996 a branch of the CTC was established in Abbotabad.  

Citizen Traffic Committee (CTC) Islamabad is a registered NGO consisting of group of several dedicated and committee volunteers who willingly give couple of hours of their time daily to help the Islamabad Traffic Police to control the traffic on various intersections in the Capital.  The task includes training, educating and promoting sense of awareness and respect for the traffic rules in the drivers and the general public.  This Group through its Secretary General (a Chartered Secretary from UK), FORMER honorary Traffic Magistrate, Islamabad and presently Advisor to the Chairman, Pakistan Post, Ministry of Communications was provided an office in Islamabad Traffic Police Office in F9 to maintain close liaison with the traffic police.  He has written a useful book on Islamabad Traffic; Police.  Several dozens letters from CTC appeared in national press highlighting Islamabad traffic police performance,  their problems including long working hours, instant suspension and threatening behavior of influential and daring action and meeting challenges from their bosses.   

The motivation to create CTC lies in the commonly observed phenomenon that a traffic cop is often seen stopping a taxi, wagon, motor cycle and a truck for traffic violation.  He is, however, always reluctant and hesitant to check those sitting in a big and expensive vehicle.  

Presence of CTC members on one hand inhibits the traffic cop to be harsh with poorer road users and on the other hand, gives him confidence and courage to check the mighty and influential violators.  CTC has, therefore two major objectives:  

a.                   To ensure that a police officer is neither harsh nor disrespectful with any traffic violators, particularly those belonging to lower strata of the society;  

b.                  To ensure that the cognizance of traffic violation is duly taken by traffic policeman policewoman in uniform irrespective of traffic violator's status.  

CTC further ensures that the civilized and decent citizens of Islamabad are not given challan by the traffic police merely to complete their quota for the day.  Most often the citizens get a reprieve because of CTC presence because CTC believes that it is better to educate the road users regarding traffic rules rather than punish them.  Most persons readily realize their mistakes and are spared the challan. But once in a while somebody comes along who  has connections in high places (including the press), considers himself above the law and hurls all kinds of threats at the traffic cop for daring to stop him.  In such instances, CTC members side with the traffic cop.

During the past  ten years, CTC resolves was tested through malicious news reporting, physical violence, complaints to executive authorities and questions in Parliament by the legislators who were stopped on traffic violations by traffic constable in presence of CTC.  

On  the other hand, leading newspapers, both English and Urdu, have written most impressive editorial and article supporting group's volunteer services to Islamabad traffic police.  This coupled with appreciation shown by the citizens of Islamabad generally has given CTC  encouragement to pursue its goal.  

CTC's role as an independent observer has always been respected by police high ups.  It is on record that police high-up has never punished its staff working with CTC on the complaint of any influential person without proper enquiry and before the finding him guilty.  

During the presence of CTC members every thing goes well and discipline by drivers is seen visibly better.  Unfortunately hundred meters beyond this location the same driver forgets both education and discipline and repeats the same offence time and again.  Similarly, traffic police also becomes lax and the situation fast returns to bad.  It therefore proves that education in itself is not enough for awareness and the key lines in STRICT ENFORCEMENT.  

CTC has taken special interest in improving driving test.  A member of CTC is a professional driving instructor fr9om UK and he is very willing to help traffic police in improving driving tests.  

CTC sincerely believes that citizens of Islamabad have great deal of responsibility in obeying the traffic rules.  They must also come on the side of law in condemning other traffic violators and support the traffic police for the safe driving in the Capital.

MAN BEHIND THE CONCEPT OF CITIZEN TRAFFIC COMMITTEE

BASHEER ALI, ACIS SECRETARY-GENERAL,
CITIZEN TRAFFIC COMMITTEE,
ISLAMADBA