Safe society: Special Branch, Elite Force to be reorganised, says CM

Shahbaz says accountability in police is imperative to improve security situation.

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday approved a programme to reorganise Special Branch and Elite Force.

He chaired a meeting to review the law and order situation in the province. He favoured modern training and refresher courses for the capacity-building of Special Branch and Elite Force officials. He ordered that a proper plan be made for the purpose.

Sharif said work on the expansion of Elite Police Training School should be started immediately. “The nature of police’s responsibilities has changed in the current security situation. Steps should be taken to harmonise police with the new demands.”

The chief minister said introduction of a mechanism to reward or punish police officials for their performance was necessary to provide justice to citizens. Therefore, he said, an effective monitoring system should be evolved for the purpose.

Sharif said the first batch of Counter-Terrorism Force had been inducted. He said the force’s role was of national importance. He ordered that service structure of the force be finalised early. The corporals performing well should get fast-track promotions, he said.

The chief minister said police stations for the Counter-Terrorism Force were being set up across the province. “Use of modern technology is a prerequisite to fight terrorism and police are being equipped in this direction.”

Sharif asked police officials to spare no efforts in providing relief to complainants.

MNA Pervaiz Malik, MPAs Rana Sanaullah and Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Chief Minister’s Special Assistant Rana Maqbool Ahmed, the chief secretary and the home secretary attended the meeting.

Relief

Sharif said the government was doing its best to ensure that benefits of reduction in fuel prices were passed on to citizens. He directed the authorities concerned to regularly monitor the prices of essential items and transport fares.

He was addressing a meeting of the Price Control Committee at Civil Secretariat through video link.

The chief minister directed Food Minister Bilal Yasin to visit various cities and monitor steps being taken to provide relief to the common man. He said no compromise should be made on the quality of edibles after their prices were reduced.

Knowledge Park

An agreement was signed on Saturday between the government and Frost and Sullivan to prepare a master plan for Lahore Knowledge Park. The chief minister was the chief guest at the ceremony arranged to sign the deal. Under the agreement, master plan of the project would be completed within 16 weeks.

Sharif said campuses of various renowned universities would be set up at the Knowledge Park. He said the project would help promote a culture of research.

Samita Khawar from Frost and Sullivan said the institution would mobilise all its resources to complete the project on time. Higher Education Secretary Aslam Kamboh was also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2015.