Ban on display of weapons

LAHORE– A complete ban has been imposed on the display of all types of weapons in Punjab with a view to eliminating terrorism and controlling crime, announced Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muhammad Habibur Rehman while presiding over the Regional Police Officers (RPOs) Conference at Central Police Office on Wednesday.
“The violators will be dealt with an iron fist and any influence or pressure will not be accepted in this regard,” observed the IGP, adding that display of weapons in the name of enmity or self-protection is the major reason behind surge in crime, especially killing of innocent people.
Rehman said that the field officers had been directed to use all the powers and resources at their disposal to ensure complete ban on display of weapons in the province. He stressed that the police officers should not accept any kind of pressure or influence in this regard. The provincial police chief further said that no one would be allowed to carry or display weapons during wedding parties or any other functions.
The Conference decided that only policewomen would be deployed in the reporting rooms being established across Punjab and that at least 88 inspectors would soon be promoted to the rank of deputy superintendent of police (DSP) against vacant posts. It was also decided on the occasion that the matters related to the promotion of superintendents of police (SPs) would be finalised in the second phase.
Rehman directed the regional police officers (RPOs) and district police officers (DPOs) present on the occasion to immediately forward the promotion cases of those officers and officials who had completed two-year probation period in their respective areas. He further said that cases should also be recommended and forwarded to the concerned authorities in case of poor performance or ineligibility of the officers or officials, so that all types of pendency could be disposed of.
The Conference reviewed the performance of the Punjab Highway Patrolling, especially since the transfer of the department’s powers to the respective RPOs and DPOs. The provincial police chief also urged the Conference’s participants to improve the working of the Punjab Highway Patrolling.
The IGP further said that the Special Branch would help in monitoring the performance of the officers and any kind of negligence or dishonesty would not be tolerated.
The Conference also decided that the field officers would be empowered to take action against police officials of DSP rank on their own and that the Central Investigation Agency (CIA) would be strengthened.
The IGP asked officers to replicate the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) model of Faisalabad police in their respective districts and seek help of the reconciliatory committees to settle small disputes.
The IGP was informed that 90 per cent of the work on reporting rooms and 80 per cent of the work on the biometric system to check the duty hours of policemen had been completed. The provincial police chief also directed the field officers to ensure installation of tracking system in each police vehicle within a month.
The IGP lauded the services of Sargodha police for recovering looted gold ornaments worth Rs.25 million and arresting the criminals. He also gave cash prizes of Rs.100,000 to ASP City Sargodha Javed Iqbal and Rs 50,000 to CIA Inspector from his own pocket.
The police officers expressed their satisfaction over the overall law and order situation in the province. However, the IGP expressed his anger over the poor performance of a few DPOs and directed them to improve their working. The provincial police chief further warned that only honest police officers could stay in the department. The crime fighters would be encouraged while those policemen found involved in misusing their powers would be kicked out of the department, Rehman said.
All DPOs and field officers of the province attended the Conference. Additional IG Malik Khuda Buksh Awan, Additional IG (CTD) Mushtaq Sukhera, Additional IG (Training) Naseem-uz-Zaman and Additional IG (Finance and Welfare) Sarmad Saeed were also present on the occasion.