Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the chief minister of Punjab, has given police four weeks to improve the overall law and order situation, with a particular focus on crimes against children and women. She has warned that officers involved will be dismissed if conditions do not improve.
The chief minister raised concern about the situation in Rawalpindi Division. She told police to step up efforts against severe crimes, internal corruption and unlawful gun possession during a special meeting attended by district and regional police officers via video link.
Crackdown on illegal weapons, traffic and smuggling
Sharif instructed police to strictly enforce the prohibition on camera-equipped glasses and other surveillance equipment. She also ordered recoveries and preventive measures against people holding illicit firearms.
Also read: Punjab bans spy glasses and covert surveillance devices
Expressing dissatisfaction with traffic management, she directed officers to act against overspeeding. She further ordered an intensified anti-corruption campaign within the police department, with strict action against personnel involved in corrupt practices.
The chief minister told police to prevent wheat smuggling from all districts, particularly areas along provincial borders. Regional police officers were instructed to hold weekly meetings to review all categories of crime and submit performance reports on the relevant district officers.
Province-wide patrols and measures against hooliganism
Sharif ordered police patrolling across the province to ensure a visible presence of law enforcement and create a sense of fear of the law among criminals. Officers were also directed to personally visit the organisers of the Tableeghi Ijtima.
She said there would be no tolerance for the culture of hooliganism in Punjab and that those involved would not be spared. An intensified crackdown on narcotics was ordered, along with measures to identify crime hotspots and dismantle criminal networks.
For Lahore, she directed effective patrolling by the Dolphin Force, which is to be provided with motorcycles and other necessary facilities. She also asked authorities to continue building the capacity of the specialised RMC police force to deal with crowds and maintain order.
Praise for RMC police and falling crime figures
The chief minister praised the RMC police for their effective performance during the proposed sit-in. She paid tribute to police personnel who lost their lives while performing their duties and directed lifetime salaries and financial packages for the families of martyred officers.
During the meeting, the inspector general of Punjab briefed the chief minister on security across the province, including the Multan incident and other major crimes. The briefing stated that Punjab’s overall crime rate was still on the decline, with notable drops in several districts and regions.
Lahore recorded a 41% decrease in crime, while the Dera Ghazi Khan area saw a 16% decrease.
