Special anti-riot police unit to be set up soon, says Shahbaz

Turkish National Police delegation calls on chief minister

LAHORE:

The Punjab government will set up a special police unit on the pattern of the Istanbul Riot Police Unit to deal with protesters, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday.

He was talking to a delegation of the Turkish National Police.



“The Punjab will benefit from the experience of the Turkish National Police in the setting up of Riot Police Unit. Turkish officials will impart training to the Punjab police officers. There will be a separate uniform for officers of the Riot Police Unit,” the CM said.

The chief minister said that cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan was increasing. “The Turkish National Police is extending full cooperation for reforms in the police system and training of police officials in the Punjab,” he said.

The chief minister also appreciated the cooperation of the Turkish National Police for the training of Dolphin Police Force. The Turkish delegation informed the chief minister that training of dolphin force would be completed soon and the force would assume its duties from the beginning of March.

Punjab Forensic Science Agency

The chief minister visited the Punjab Forensic Science Agency on Sunday. Presiding over a meeting at the agency, the chief minister said that the lab was the biggest of its kind in South Asia. “Samples are sent from several countries to this lab for verification. This is a proof of the splendid performance of this lab. An automatic database for identification of weapons has recently been introduced,” he said.



He directed the officials to take immediate measures to transfer the record of weapons to the database. He also gave approval for setting up a database of fingerprints in the lab.

The chief minister said that satellite units of the lab should be set up in all divisions. “The centres will be of vital importance in the provision of justice,” he said. The chief minister directed the officials to complete the process by March. The meeting decided that in the second phase, satellite centres would be established in all 36 districts.

He said that special attention should be paid to training of officials of Prosecution and Police Departments for the improvement of criminal justice system. “Taking certain steps is necessary for harmonising the medico-legal system with the demands of modern age. Recommendations should be presented after reviewing all necessary issues in this regard,” he said.

The chief minister said that the forensic lab was of vital importance in the investigation of cases. “The Punjab Forensic Science Agency is rendering commendable services in verification of evidence. The fact that countries like the US, Great Britain, Norway are sending samples for verification to this lab reflects its efficiency and performance,” he said.



The chief minister said that he was pleased to see the work being carried out in a professional manner in the agency. He appreciated the performance of Forensic Science Agency officials. Punjab Forensic Science Agency DG Dr Ashraf Tahir briefed the meeting about the performance of the institution. Rana Maqbool Ahmed, Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal, the IG police, the Punjab advocate general, the home secretary and the Law secretary were present.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2016.