‘Hard policing’ to eliminate crimes: CM

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has ordered undertaking prompt measures to control the crime rate in Lahore at all costs and sought a report in this regard within two weeks.

CM vowed that “hard policing” would be carried out to eliminate crime across the province.

The chief minister expressed these views while presiding over a meeting at his office in which former Federal Minister Moonis Elahi and Adviser on Home Omar Sarfraz Cheema were also present.

The CM remarked that dutiful and diligent officers are always remembered in good words. It was decided during the meeting to extend the forensic lab and its scope.

Pervaiz Elahi directed the authorities to establish forensic labs in Multan and Rawalpindi adding that the DFID officials have given their assurance for extending the forensic lab and for its betterment. It was decided during the meeting to re-determine the functions of the Dolphin Police.

The CM also sought a report about the Dolphin Police within two weeks and directed the authorities to revamp the force for better performance.

It was decided during the meeting to set up eight new police stations in Lahore. The CM directed the officers to fulfil the shortage of police personnel in the police stations of Punjab including Lahore subsequently.

The CM expressed the resolve to cater for the needs of the police force to provide a peaceful environment to the people adding that a significant decrease in the crime rate occurred in the past due to efficient performance and commendable deliverance of duties by the patrolling police.

He denounced that the crime rate increased owing to the inactivation of the patrolling police during Shehbaz Sharif’s tenure and it enhanced unrest. He also acknowledged that traffic wardens and the patrolling police displayed an exemplary performance but unfortunately they were being subjected to political prejudice.

Principal Secretary to CM Muhammad Khan Bhatti, ACS (Home) Asadullah Khan, Caretaker IGP Kanwar Shahrukh, Lahore CCPO and other police officers attended the meeting.

Earlier, Ibtisam Hasan, who grabbed the accused who shot at PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the long march in Wazirabad, met the chief minister at his office. The CM praised the bravery of Ibtisam Hasan and gave him a cheque for Rs2.5 million.

The CM said Hasan was the hero of the nation.

“The nation salutes the courage of Ibtisam Hasan,” he added. “You have achieved a great feat by catching the suspect and we are proud of a brave young man like you. Your timely action saved a major accident,” he further said.

Meanwhile, Pervaiz Elahi chaired a meeting at his office to review the upgradation of the Wazirabad Institute of Cardiology (WIC).

The CM directed to hire services of expert doctors from abroad along with the establishment of a department for the treatment of children suffering from congenital heart disease.

“Complicated operations for children suffering from heart diseases will also be performed so that they may not have to go to India for treatment,” he said.

He also approved a transport facility, adding that a hostel and residences should also be built for doctors. Similarly, the latest cardiology and urology departments would also be established in Gujranwala Teaching Hospital and Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital, respectively. Similarly, more dialysis machines would also be given to Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital.

The CM further directed the development of the best waiting area for the attendees and said that more and more trees should be planted on the hospital premises. “It's sanguine that a majestic mosque has been built with the support of philanthropists,” he concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2022.