Chief minister asserts role in transfers

Tells police no officer can be sent outside Punjab without his approval

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi asserted on Wednesday that no officer would be repatriated from the province without the permission of his government.

Presiding over a police conference, he said the provincial government had the constitutional power to retain the officers in public interest. He said he would enhance the residential facilities for the officers in the GOR.

The size of the big houses in. the colony will be reduced and apartments will be built as many residences are spread over eight kanals.

The chief minister highlighted that with the construction of apartments with a modern design would help cater to the residential needs of the officers.

The chief minister disclosed that the government would set up 150 police patrolling posts and the force in the rural areas would be granted a special salary package.

He said bunkers would be constructed in the rural areas. “We will provide bullet-proof and vehicles with trackers in addition to providing support and relief to the police,” he added.

The chief minister said the people should be given speedy justice in the police station. It is the duty of the police to redress the grievances of every applicant visiting the police station without any discrimination.

Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi highlighted that a change on the police culture could be claimed only when the perception of a common citizen regarding the department changed.

He asserted that the need for the citizens to visit the police stations repeatedly for redressing their grievances and lodging FIRs should not arise.

Read Elahi censures PML-N for 'stopping' public projects

The chief minister said the first information report (FIR) should be strong as per law and the investigation process should be improved and made effective so that criminals should not escape punishment.

He said the police officials holding law degrees would be appointed as investigation officers as losing a case by due to weak investigation caused embarrassment.

The CM stated that the patrolling force had been set up for assisting Punjab police, adding that other issues related to the police would also be resolved.

The chief minister said three copies of the FIRs should be sent to the CM Monitoring Cell and the deputy inspector general (DIG) and senior superintendent of police (SSP) for monitoring.

He said  it was the duty of the police to serve the applicants and they should see a clear difference in the police station now.

The chief minister said the government was reviewing a proposal to set up a force consisting of retired army commandos for the rural areas.

He paid tribute to the police for maintaining law and order during Muharram. He said he had monitored the law and order arrangements on the Chehlum.

He appreciated the Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur district police officers for taking effective action against criminal elements and gangs.

Home Minister Hashim Dogar said a proposal to give houses to the police officials on lenient conditions would be reviewed. Inspector General of Police Faisal Shahkar

said the CM was taking effective steps for the welfare of the police. He assured the CM that the police would leave no stone unturned to protect the lives and property of the people.

The South Punjab additional IG also spoke. The police officers shared proposals for the improvement of law and order in the province.

Former federal minister Moonis Elahi also participated in the conference.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2022.