Shahbaz Sharif reprimands police over incidents of crime occurred in Lahore

Lahore : Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting, here today which reviewed the progress made so far on the cases of some incidents of crime occurred recently in Lahore including murder of five persons in Millat Park, dacoity in a vehicle at traffic signal in Garden Town and futile attempt of dacoity at Lower Mall.

Police authorities presented preliminary report in this regard. Shehbaz Sharif expressed indignation over the incidents of crime in the city like Lahore and said that incidents like murder of five persons on putting up resistance during dacoity at Millat Park and dacoity in a vehicle at traffic signal in Garden Town are a question mark on the performance of police.

Addressing police officials, the Chief Minister said that resources of billions of rupees have been given to the police and likewise equipped with training and modern equipments, so that it can perform its duty in an efficient manner for maintenance of law & order and protection of life and property of people. Despite all resources and training, occurring of such incidents is deplorable, he added.

He asked concerned police officers to tell where Dolphin and PRU Force was at the time of recent incidents. What was the system of patrolling in the area, he questioned. He said that such incidents of crime cannot be tolerated at all. Resources have been provided to the police and giving results is its responsibility, he added.

Shahbaz Sharif said that police will have to play an active and vibrant role for safeguarding life and property of the masses. He said that matters will not be run in this manner and he will not tolerate such incidents at any cost.

The Chief Minister ordered police authorities to arrest the accused involved in these incidents within 72 hours and said that it is their responsibility to arrest the criminals.

Shahbaz Sharif said that he is Khadim of the people of the province and responsible for the protection of their life and property and will go to the last limit for this purpose. He said that police should ensure eradication of crime from the province and strict action will be taken against the accused involved in criminal activities. He said that such incidents as occurred in Lahore will not be tolerated in future.

The accused involved in these incidents would be brought to justice and awarded deterrent punishment as per law. He said that there is no priority other than establishment of law & order that is why billions of rupees have been spent for setting police department on modern lines. He said that police will have to perform its duties in an active, vibrant and effective manner for checking street crime and come up to the expectations of the people.

The Chief Minister said that he will not satisfy with lip service but with the performance of police only when people will express satisfaction over its performance. This will be possible only when police will perform its duties efficiently and with hard work and ensure protection of life and property of the people.

Inspector General Police Punjab, Secretary Home, CCPO Lahore, Additional IG Special Branch, DIG Operations, DIG Investigation and SSP Investigation were present on the occasion.