Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday directed the inspector general of police (IGP) to purge the force of “corrupt officials” within a week.
Presiding over a meeting on law and order, she said maintaining peace and protecting the lives and property of citizens remained the government’s top priority. She emphasized a ban on police officers known for corruption being appointed as station house officers and called for strict action against corrupt officials. She also directed the police to intensify efforts to curb burglary and ordered a clean-up operation in Sheikhupura to eliminate crime.
According to a statement, the chief minister decided to place operational control of the Dolphin Police under the jurisdiction of relevant police stations. She also set Sept. 30 as the deadline for equipping Punjab Police personnel with body cameras and sought a comprehensive plan to ensure effective control of crimes against women and children. She stressed zero-tolerance against anyone involved in such offenses.
Nawaz approved the installation of GPS devices and cameras in prisoner vans and directed the authorities to take strict action over incidents involving the escape of prisoners.
During the meeting, participants were informed the overall crime situation in the province had improved, with robberies declining by 54%, murders by 35%, car snatching by 46% and motorcycle theft by 53%. The chief minister said district police officers would be held accountable in districts where crime rates remained high.