Special Branch to check police performance

LAHORE:

Inspector General of Punjab Police Amir Zulfiqar Khan has assigned the task of monitoring the performance of the department’s officers to the Special Branch.

Presiding over a conference of the regional police officers (RPOs),

he said reports about the performance should be submitted to him on a daily basis.

He warned the senior officers that only those who would work well would stay on their posts.

The IGP said reports declaring that all was good would not work and the field officers should take practical steps for eliminating crimes.

He said foolproof security should be provided for Christmas and Quaid-i-Azam Day celebrations across the province.

In view of recent terrorist incidents, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) was ordered to take special security measures.

The security arrangements for sensitive places across the province should be re-evaluated, the
IGP said.

He also called for deploying additional personnel in Murree in view of the large number of tourists expected to visit the hill station during the snowing season and winter vacations.

Special police squads should be formed to maintain law and order on New Year Night. he said.

Khan said he would not tolerate any negligence in eliminating crimes and ensuring the safety of citizens’ lives and property.

The IGP expressed concern over the crime situation across the province and said reports of all good would no longer suffice.

He said practical steps had to be taken and crime control will be the only measure to evaluate the performance of the officers.

“My policy is ‘you work, you stay’, so the officer who does good work will stay on his post,” he added.

The IGP ordered the officers to perform their duties in accordance with the constitution and law. There would be no compromise on discipline in the force and there should be a clear change in the Punjab Police should be evident, he added.

IGP Amir Zulfiqar Khan said that in view of a recent wave of terrorism, the security of sensitive and public places should be re-evaluated across the province.

Moreover, in view of the recent incidents, the Punjab CTD should take special measures to wipe out the terrorists.

He ordered strict legal action against those resorting to firing, one-wheeling and rioting on the New Year Night.

During the conference, the IGP was informed that 28,000 personnel would perform security duties on the Quaid-i-Azam Day and Christmas across the province, including more than 6,000 in Lahore.

The provincial police chief directed the senior officers to go in the field and review the security arrangements at the sensitive places of worship.

The IGP directed the RPOs, district police officers and field officers to make surprise visits to police stations.

Stressing the importance of the welfare of the staff, he said the field officers should regularly hold darbar so that all possible relief could be provided to the personnel.

The additional IGs of operations, the CTD, Special Branch, officers posted in Central Police Office, heads of all units and police officers of Lahore, including the capital city police officer, were present in the conference, while the RPOs, DPOs and city olice officers participated through video link.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2022.