Improving police performance: Punjab forms high-level committee, says Shahbaz

The PML-N led Punjab government constituted a high level committee which will evolve a short and middle-term strategy for improving the performance of police and submits its recommendations within two days. Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that police has been purged of political interference and all postings are being made only and only on merit and performance basis.
He added that after provision of facilities and elimination of "Sifarish" culture, it is the responsibility of police to give results and fulfil its responsibilities by maintaining law and order and protecting life and property of the masses. He warned that those officers and officials showing negligence in curbing crimes and protecting life and property of the people will not be tolerated in police force at any cost.
He was presiding over a meeting held here on Monday to review the law-and-order situation in Lahore. Advisor Jehanzeb Barki, Assembly Members Mohsin Latif, Hafiz Mian Muhammad Nauman, Ramzan Siddique Bhatti, Prosecutor General, Home Secretary, Secretary Law, Capital City Police Officer, DIG Investigation and Operations, Commissioner and District Co-ordination Officer Lahore and all divisional SPs of Lahore also attended the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz said that despite limited financial resources, salaries of police were enhanced and necessary facilities are being provided so that they could perform their duties properly; ensure maintenance of law and order and rooting out the crimes effectively. He said that Inspector General of Police and Capital City Police Officer are considered the best officers and complete free hand has been given to Capital City Police Officer regarding posting of divisional SPs in Lahore. Similarly, all postings and transfers are also being made purely on merit in the province, he added.
He said that Lahore police are like a model for the police of entire province and due to their best performance, a good message is conveyed throughout the province. He said that improving the law-and-order situation and creating sense of protection among the masses is the prime responsibility of the police and no negligence will be tolerated in this regard.
The Chief Minister said that he has decided to review the performance of police himself and its beginning is being made from today. He assured that all possible resources would be provided to Lahore police for curbing crimes and maintaining law and order but yielding results will be their responsibility. He directed that such divisional SPs should be posted in Lahore who, besides being honest, should also have the spirit of public service and having professional capabilities.
He said that blessings of Almighty Allah can be earned by providing justice to the common and poor people and the same should be the duty of police force. He said that there is always room for improvement and police should improve their performance and come up to the expectations of the people. He directed to constitute a special committee comprising elected representatives and officers and this committee will submit its recommendations regarding change in "Thana" culture, posting of hardworking and efficient officers, constitution of rapid response force, configuration of Lahore police, effective system of punishment and reward and keeping in view all other matters and the same model of Lahore police will be replicated in all districts of the province. He made it clear that now police would have to give results and there is no alternative way.