CM gives law & order deadline

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has given the police a four-week deadline to improve the law and order situation, particularly regarding crimes against women and children, warning that officers responsible would be removed in case of failure.

Chairing a meeting attended by the regional and district police officers through video link, the chief minister expressed concern over the law and order situation in Rawalpindi division and directed the police to intensify action against serious crimes, illegal possession of weapons and corruption within the force.

Detailed briefings were given on the law and order situation in every district. The inspector general of police briefed the chief minister on the overall security situation across the province, including a recent incident of the murder of a boy in Multan and other serious crimes.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the police to ensure strict enforcement of a ban on camera-equipped glasses and other surveillance devices.

She also ordered preventive action and seizure of illegal weapons.

Expressing dissatisfaction with traffic management, she directed the police to ensure action against speeding. She also ordered an intensified anti-corruption campaign in the police and strict action against personnel involved in it.

The chief minister directed the police to prevent wheat smuggling from all districts, particularly along provincial borders.

She instructed all RPOs to hold weekly meetings to review all categories of crimes and submit performance reports of the relevant DPOs.

She ordered province-wide police patrolling to ensure a visible presence of law enforcement personnel and create a sense of fear of the law among criminals. She also directed police officers to visit the organisers of the Tableeghi Ijtima.

The chief minister praised the police for their performance regarding a proposed sit-in and paid tribute to personnel who had lost their lives while performing duty. She ordered the provision of lifetime salary and financial packages for the families of martyred police officers.

CM Maryam Nawaz directed the police to ensure effective patrolling by the Dolphin Force in Lahore and provide it motorcycles and other necessary facilities.

She said there would be no tolerance for the culture of hooliganism in Punjab and those involved would not be spared. She ordered an intensified crackdown on narcotics and comprehensive measures to identify crime hotspots and dismantle criminal networks.

The chief minister also directed the authorities to continue capacity-building of the riot management force to effectively deal with crowds and maintain law and order.

Officials said the overall crime rate in the province had continued to decline, with significant reductions reported in several districts.

The Dera Ghazi Khan region has recorded a lower rate of crime reduction than Lahore.