New SOPs in place to designate Ghazis, martyrs

Punjab Police have issued new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to designate police officers as Ghazis or martyrs.

Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar defined a "Ghazi" as any police officer or official who is injured in an explosion, firing, a clash with criminals or any other operation. Traffic wardens injured on duty will also be treated a "Ghazi" by Punjab Police.

A six member committee headed by district police officers (DPO) will conduct a monthly meeting to nominate Ghazis. The list prepared by the district committees will be forwarded to the regional committee, which will itself consist of six members including CCPO Lahore and RPOs.

The regional committee will also consider the cases of officials from the Special Branch, CTD, PHP, Elite Force and Traffic Police will also be considered by the regional committee. The committee’s provisional head will be additional IG welfare and finance.

The nominations of Ghazis will be reviewed every three months and they will be awarded an honorary certificate and an insignia to place on their uniform. A gazetted rank officer will be appointed a focal person.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Police has followed a generous policy for their martyrs, known as the Shaheed Package. Separate packages are available for the families of officers martyred by terrorists, criminals or killed in road accidents.

The package for officers martyred by terrorists includes the payment of a lumpsum amount of Rs10 million, Rs13.5 million for a house, a seven marla plot and a maintenance and transport allowance of Rs20,000 rupees.

The Shaheed package for a constable or head constable martyred by criminals includes a lumpsum amount payment of Rs4 million and Rs13.5 million for a house.

Similarly, the Shaheed package for a constable or head constable suffering accidental death or dying in a traffic accident while on duty included a lumpsum amount payment of Rs3 million and maintenance and transport allowance of Rs15,000.

Additionally, the family will receive full pay and allowances, as well as free education for the children of the martyred officers.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2023.