Revamping standards: Shahbaz says use of IT can curb crime

CM says immediate measures needed to restore public confidence in police.

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Thursday that use of information technology could curb crime and facilitate provision of justice to the people at police stations.

He was chairing a meeting convened to review the law and order situation and security arrangements in the province at the Arfa Karim Software Technology Park. Sharif ordered officials to formulate a comprehensive plan regarding the province-wide expansion of a pilot for the computerisation of 10 police stations. The chief minister said modern technology was vital for resolving citizens’ problems and the provision of speedy justice at police stations. Sharif said information and communication measures could curb crime and maintain law and order. He said the computerisation of police stations would improve the force’s performance. Sharif said it was imperative to harness the full potential of information technology on this account.

The chief minister said immediate and effective measures were needed to restore public confidence in the force. He said accountability of police officials and staff could significantly improve at the station level and alter the thana culture. The chief minister said an effective accountability system should be ensured on this account. He said this would foster positive change at police stations. The chief minister ordered the compilation of information regarding police officials and staff to be compiled in a database. He said the force would be given uninterrupted access to resources but it had to show results. The chief minister directed all senior police officials to regularly inspect police stations to guarantee standards.

The IGP informed those present on the occasion that the Rescue 15 service was being revamped and linked with police stations. He said the posting of administrative officials at police stations had been yielding positive results.

Punjab Information Technology Board Chairman Umer Saif gave a briefing on measures taken to harness the potential of information technology at police stations.

Saaf Pani Project

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Thursday that the Saaf Pani Project was of pivotal importance.

He was chairing a meeting convened to review progress on the project. Sharif said the project should be quickly completed.

He said no compromise would be made on standards and transparency on this account. The chief minister said the project, which would cost billions of rupees, had been initiated for the benefit of the people.

He said a target to provide the majority of the province’s residents with access to clean drinking water by 2017 had been fixed. The chief minister said work on the construction of water filtration plants in four districts in south Punjab would commence soon under the first phase of the project. He said this would be later replicated province-wide.

The Saaf Pani Company CEO briefed those present on the occasion regarding the project.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2015.