PTI concerned over growing number of children kidnapped or missing
Bukhari says police seems to be reserved only for VIP security
Bukhari said there was a need to determine whether or not a terrorist outfit was involved in the kidnapping incidents. He said there had been instances in the past of such outfits kidnapping citizens for ransom. PHOTO: PID/FILE
LAHORE:
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has expressed serious concerns over growing number of children reported kidnapped or missing in the province and demanded that the government step up efforts to recover these children.
PTI Punjab information secretary Syed Sumsam Bukhari said on Monday that the growing incidents of kidnapping were a sign of poor governance.
He quoted a Police Department report and said that 765 children had been reported kidnapped from across the province during the year, of which 715 had either returned home on their own or were recovered by the police.
Bukhari said the police force seemed to be reserved for duties with very important personalities (VIPs). “Punjab Police are looking after the security needs of the rulers only,” he said. He stressed the need for exerting the energies of the police, particularly Elite Force officials for security of the public. “The government is busy protecting itself from accountability instead of focusing on improving governance and law and order,” he said.
Bukhari said there was a need to determine whether or not a terrorist outfit was involved in the kidnapping incidents. He said there had been instances in the past of such outfits kidnapping citizens for ransom.
Last week, resolutions and adjournment motions on the issue had been submitted by MPAs from the PTI, the PML-Q and the PML-N in the Assembly Secretariat. They expressed serious concerns over the growing incidents of kidnappings and demanded that the government take steps to recover the children reported kidnapped from across the province.
PML-N MPA Hina Butt had sought legislation to enhance penalties for those involved in such crimes.
Leader of the Opposition Mahmood Rasheed mentioned that from January to June this year 652 children had been reported kidnapped or missing in the province. He said 312 of these cases had been reported from Lahore.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 2nd, 2016.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has expressed serious concerns over growing number of children reported kidnapped or missing in the province and demanded that the government step up efforts to recover these children.
PTI Punjab information secretary Syed Sumsam Bukhari said on Monday that the growing incidents of kidnapping were a sign of poor governance.
He quoted a Police Department report and said that 765 children had been reported kidnapped from across the province during the year, of which 715 had either returned home on their own or were recovered by the police.
Bukhari said the police force seemed to be reserved for duties with very important personalities (VIPs). “Punjab Police are looking after the security needs of the rulers only,” he said. He stressed the need for exerting the energies of the police, particularly Elite Force officials for security of the public. “The government is busy protecting itself from accountability instead of focusing on improving governance and law and order,” he said.
Bukhari said there was a need to determine whether or not a terrorist outfit was involved in the kidnapping incidents. He said there had been instances in the past of such outfits kidnapping citizens for ransom.
Last week, resolutions and adjournment motions on the issue had been submitted by MPAs from the PTI, the PML-Q and the PML-N in the Assembly Secretariat. They expressed serious concerns over the growing incidents of kidnappings and demanded that the government take steps to recover the children reported kidnapped from across the province.
PML-N MPA Hina Butt had sought legislation to enhance penalties for those involved in such crimes.
Leader of the Opposition Mahmood Rasheed mentioned that from January to June this year 652 children had been reported kidnapped or missing in the province. He said 312 of these cases had been reported from Lahore.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 2nd, 2016.