The lunch for electronic and print journalists was held on the orders of IGP Tahir Alam Khan. PHOTO: ONLINE

ISLAMABAD: The capital police claim to lack resources to fight terrorism, but they do have the money to offer lavish lunches to journalists.



Inspector General of the Islamabad Police (IGP) Tahir Alam Khan hosted the lunch for electronic and print journalists, an event that could be described with three words — come, eat, and go.



The lunch was ostensibly part of the National Action Plan (NAP) and the basic objective was to interact with journalists and ask them to avoid the glorification of terrorists, said a senior police official.



According to sources, Rs170,000 was spent on the lunch, but the IGP did not bother to interact with journalists or offer any notable information during his address earlier.



The luncheon was held at Islamabad Police Lines where journalists were greeted by a police guard of honour, while the well decorated stage was graced by local musicians.



Sources said the cops paid Rs1,400 per head and had invited 125 journalists, but the actual turnout was closer to 150. The menu included chicken tikka, mutton, biryani, and gulab jaman and kheer.



The ceremony started with a recitation from the Quran, after which the IGP came on stage and appreciated the attendance of media persons — who were expecting to get guidelines from the official on how to the police would like coverage of terrorist to be done.



In his speech, which was only a few minutes long, the IGP told the audience that the basic objective of the gathering was to inform journalists to avoid the glorification of terrorists, especially, after Peshawar incident, which has united the whole nation. The capital’s top cop said that the media has a key role in society, especially when the country is fighting a war. He said that in future, Assistant Inspector General of Police Dr Sultan Azam Temuri will update journalists in case of any incident.



Temuri had already been appointed as the Islamabad Police spokesperson.



After lunch, a half-hour photo session was also held.



Many journalists were expecting more words and less food. “I think the event is a waste of tax money…the IGP should have been interacting with journalists,” said a participant.



When contacted, Superintendent of Police Headquarters Rana Tahir Rehman, who organised the event, confirmed that he made all the arrangements on the IGP’s orders. He said the top cop wanted to interact with journalists, which is why the event was organised. Rehman also confirmed that Rs170,000 was the total bill for the lunch, but added that the amount would be discounted by the caterer before payment.



Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2015.