IGP urges more open courts

During session, he orders that all measures be taken to address complaints

LAHORE: Protection of the lives and properties of citizens and the speedy redressal of their complaints is a priority of the Punjab Police, said Inspector General of Police (IGP) Captain (retd) Arif Nawaz Khan.

“All regional police officers (RPO) and district police officers (DPO) should hold open courts at different places, including police stations in their respective districts, to ensure all possible measures for the timely redressal of public complaints.”

He expressed these views chairing an open court alongside Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ahsan Younas and Assistant Inspector General of Police Complaints Zahid Nawaz Marwat at the Central Police Office (CPO). The staff of 8787 IGP Complaint Centre was also present on the occasion.

During the open court, the IGP personally heard complaints of senior citizens, women and men from different districts and issued directions to officers on the spot for the redressal of public complaints. He added that officials and officers responsible for delayed action on public complaints deserve no leniency and indiscriminate action will be taken against them if any such complaint is received.

He directed all DPOs to submit weekly reports of the complaints received in open courts and to take regular action on complaints.

He directed the DPOs of Muzaffargarh, Sargodha, Chakwal and Jhang to address the problems of citizens as soon as possible. “All DPOs must resolve public complaints speedily so that all district officers can ensure resolution of public issues locally under their personal supervision.”

He summoned Deputy Superintendent of Police Arifwala to his office on the application of Ghulam Rasool to explain why the challan of the complainant’s case has not been completed.

On the application of Azra Bibi, the IGP issued directions to Muzaffargarh DPO to arrest the accused within 48 hours, while on the complaint of Sabra Bibi, he expressed disappointment on the delay in action. He further directed the Lahore DIG investigation to check records of the case and present a report to the CPO within 24 hours.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2^nd, 2019.