CM wants more women in police force

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the inspector general of police to increase the number of women officers in the force.

Addressing the passing out ceremony of lady constables at the Police Training College Chung, she said the existing 7,000 women officers are not enough. “The time will come when the number of lady police will surpass 50 percent,” she asserted.

“No one can imagine how hard women work. I salute all of them for their dedication and commitment to work,” she added. The chief minister said, “I am happy that this time the police gave the sword of honour to a young woman.” She said the training of women police constables had been conducted in line with the International best practices and modern requirements. It was a pleasure indeed to see the professionalism of lady police constables undergoing training.”

“After wearing the police uniform for the first time, I have realised that being a police officer or being sworn in as a CM is a very responsible job. In the Chief Minister's Office, we take decisions, and you get them implemented. You have a heavy responsibility,” said told the officials who had completed the training.

The chief minister explained, “Women are soft hearted and quick to forgive but as lady police constables you have to do justice only. All your sympathies should be with the oppressed. There should be no place in the heart for the oppressor. The oppressor must be punished.” She said, “I don't feel revenge in my heart. It hurts even while punishing the wrongdoer.”

The chief minister said a society in which there was no justice was destroyed. Therefore, the police officials should take care of the oppressed and do justice. Congratulating the parents, she said, “Trust and support your daughters. They will make you proud.”

The chief minister was dressed in police uniform to participate in the passing out ceremony of the lady police constables and traffic assistants. On her arrival, she was presented a police baton.

Eight alert squads of lady police constables and traffic assistants marched past and saluted her.

Prizes were given to Traffic Assistant Fizza Batul, Muqadas Rani, Hafiza Isha; and Lady Police Constables Jawaria Fayyaz, Kausar Riaz and Laiba Shabbir.

The chief minister presented the sword of honour to Tayyaba Amin of Muzaffargarh.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated in her message on the International Day of Information and Communication Technology for Girls that ICT provides opportunities for women's empowerment.

“In order to develop our society, it is important that our girls are trained in IT skills. ICT education can also help girls develop skills that are in demand in the global market.”

The chief minister stated, “I want to develop Punjab into an ICT-based province where technology is accessible to all without gender discrimination. I want to create countless opportunities for development by empowering women with ICT skills.”

She added, ”Girls in Pakistan can be empowered through ICT and freelancing by accessing new sources of income in the digital space. Freelancing gives girls an opportunity to earn a living while working from the ease of their homes.”

She said ten government’s focus was on the development of knowledge-based economy, promotion of financial technology and digitisation of institutions.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2024.