Ex-servicemen to improve law and order in Lahore

Lahore: Punjab government has decided to recruit four thousand ex-servicemen, on contract, to further improve law and order situation in Lahore, and provide a peaceful atmosphere to the citizens. CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif said that these retired army Jawans would perform their duties in coordination with the police to control street crime in the provincial metropolis. He directed Home Secretary to immediately initiate the process of recruitment of retired army men and all necessary steps should be taken on emergent basis in this regard.

The Chief Minister was presiding over a high-level meeting held to review law and order situation, here today. Advisor Jehanzeb Khan Burki, Member Assembly Pervaiz Malik, Mian Marghoob Ahmad, Hafiz Muhammad Nauman, Shuja Khanzada, Secretaries of Home, Finance, Prosecution and Information departments, IG Police Punjab and other concerned officers were present. Giving approval to recruitment of ex-servicemen on contract basis, the Chief Minister told the meeting that effective control of street crime is of utmost importance, for which the government would benefit from the services of retired army Jawans, who will help in controlling street crime in different localities of the city in an effective manner.

He further directed establishment of Anti-Crime Helpline for immediate redressal of public complaints against crimes, and directed that a report be submitted to him about the helpline model, within seven days in consultation with Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board. The Chief Minister said that prosecution process of arrested criminals involved in various cases be further expedited and cases be submitted to the relevant courts so that the culprits could be awarded timely punishment. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif also asked for weekly report of various cases from the Secretary Prosecution. He directed police to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to deal with the old cases, and ordered IG Police and CCPO Lahore to submit detailed progress report, on action taken on old cases within seven days.

He further directed that a report regarding headway made on old cases be submitted to him in future, during every law and order meeting. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif also directed police authorities to make comprehensive planning to effectively control the incidents of extortion, throughout the province, including Lahore. He said that the dream of a peaceful society cannot be realized, without eradication of extremism, for which the police ought to play its vigorous role. He directed Members Assembly to review the performance of police stations, established in their respective constituencies, and submit a report to him in this regard, during the next law and order meeting. The Chief Minister also directed police authorities to ensure prompt registration of FIRs of all cases, along with informing the complainants regarding progress made on their FIRs. The Chief Minister also issued instructions for activating the Citizen Police Liaison Committee.

The Chief Minister said that all possible steps are being taken to improve law and order situation in the province. He said that police will have to play its vigorous and active role to provide succor to the masses. He said protection of life and property of the citizens is his foremost priority, and he will fulfill his responsibility at all costs. He said that police have been provided all kinds of resources, therefore, it must produce results. He said that betterment at the lower level in police is need of the hour to bring about a positive change in Thana culture. He said that only registration of cases is not enough and effective follow-up in courts should also be ensured, in order to award exemplary punishment to the culprits.

Members Provincial Assembly Shuja Khanzada informed the Chief Minister that the process of imparting training to the officers of Punjab police, in cooperation with brotherly Islamic country Turkey, is continuing, and more police officers are visiting Turkey for necessary training during the next month.