Protection of life, property top priority: Punjab chief minister

Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif has said that maintenance of law and order and protection of life and property of the masses is the top priority of the government and all out resources are being utilised for this purpose.
He directed that solid measures be taken for eliminating crimes, hitting hard gangs involved in various crimes, apprehending absconders and the accused involved in heinous crimes and creating sense of security among the people.
While giving approval to the constitution of various committees for further improving the performance of police, he said that the final recommendations be submitted within next three days under short-term policy for getting immediate results. The CM appreciated the services of cabinet committee, ministers, elected representatives, ulema, administration and police for maintaining peace during Muharram-ul-Haram and added that due to the blessings of Almighty Allah and effective strategy, no untoward incident occurred throughout the province.
He was presiding over a high level meeting held to review the law and order situation in the province and further improving the performance of police at Chief Minister's Secretariat, here Saturday.
Addressing the meeting, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that nothing could be more important than maintenance of law and order. He said that all officers have been posted in the field on merit and on the basis of performance and all recruitment in the department have been made on merit. He directed that a vigorous campaign be launched for apprehending the absconders and culprits involved in heinous crimes in the province. He said that a comprehensive strategy be evolved for curbing heinous crimes like kidnapping for ransom, gang-rape, dacoity, murder, street crime and car-theft and the gangs involved in these crimes should be taken to task.
He said that necessary amendments should be made in the investigation laws for providing relief to the people and investigation of the cases should be carried out on scientific lines. He said that strict accountability system should be adopted in police and performance of the officials should be reviewed through effective monitoring system. The meeting took number of decisions for further improving the performance of the police.
Giving approval to the constitution of various committees for increasing the performance of police, the CM said these committees should inform about the steps taken for the improvement of various sectors during next weekly meetings and additional IG traffic for big cities of the province. Chief traffic officer Lahore should submit a plan for improving traffic system in the provincial metropolis.
He said that the efforts of elected representatives, ulema, police and administration are commendable due to which no untoward incident has occurred throughout the province during Muharram-ul-Haram. He directed that the police officers and officials showing best performance for maintenance of law and order during Muharram-ul-Haram be encouraged at a special function.
Earlier, chief secretary, inspector general of police and home secretary gave detailed briefings regarding law and order situation in the province and the steps taken for improving the performance of police. IGP informed that a meeting is being held on daily basis for reviewing the crime situation in the province. Home Secretary informed about the constitution of various committees for improving the performance of police.
Senior Advisor, Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa and provincial ministers Rana Sanaullah Khan, Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, members national and provincial assemblies, chief secretary, inspector general of police, home secretary and senior officers concerned attended the meeting.