Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday unveiled a digital crime surveillance unit designed to monitor police performance at district, circle and police station levels. The move came as she voiced displeasure over complaints of unjustified delays in registering first information reports (FIRs).
The system will let authorities track district police officers (DPOs), deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) and station house officers (SHOs). It will also provide updated crime data from every police station in the province with a single click.
Chief minister’s visit and orders to police
During a tour of the Crime Surveillance Unit, Maryam spoke with officers on duty and received a briefing from its head, Usman Tanveer. She directed the Punjab inspector general of police to prepare a plan for police reforms.
She also told officials to make proper use of data collected through the Police Station Record Management System. Maryam called for an immediate response to what she described as negative propaganda against the police.
What the unit will monitor and track
According to the briefing, the unit will compile crime data across 20 categories and analyse how officers perform at each level. Its responsibilities include:
- Tracking complaints and applications from citizens to ensure timely resolution, with action possible in cases of delay
- Preparing rapid data analysis reports, prepared by experts at the unit, to help authorities assess crime trends
- Identifying social media posts in line with national security requirements
Chief minister defends the force against criticism
Maryam said the provincial government wants to rid Punjab of all forms of crime, and the unit was established to make the anti-crime campaign more effective. “Good and bad people are found everywhere, but criticising the entire force is not the right approach,” she said, according to a handout issued by her office.
She argued it was wrong to question the overall performance of the police because of the actions of a few individuals. She added that a historical decline in crime following reforms in Punjab was encouraging.
