A strategy has been evolved for bringing a positive change in existing "Thana Culture" for ensuring justice for the masses, said District Police Officer (DPO) Sialkot Dr Tariq Khokar.
Addressing the members of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and members of other trade bodies on Wednesday here, he added that available resources were being utilised for improving the police system with prime concept of rebuilding the confidence of people on police. Despite lack of man force, all out efforts were being made for scaling down the crime graph resultantly Sialkot police had busted several notorious gangs in recent past in Sialkot district, he revealed.
The DPO informed the members that extra-ordinary measures were being adopted for further tightened the security and for this purpose "Close Circuit" cameras were being installed at different points of the city. The installation of close circuit cameras would surely help improving the security and provide support in reducing the crimes, he opined.
Dr Tariq Khokar further told that in order to improve the efficacy of police, long and short terms plan were under consideration and special attention would be accorded in improving the traffic system in the city. Sialkot is an export-oriented city of the country and it was obligatory that supremacy of law and order should be guaranteed enabling the business community to work freely, he said.
The DPO said that in order to squeezing the crime and unearth hideouts of criminals and proclaimed offenders the police-citizen co-operation is direly needed in all parts of the district. He said that in future the police stations and police post would be established keeping in view the population and importance of the area adding that the setting up of police posts at Mohalla and bazaar level is under active consideration.
The district police officer on this occasion assured the members of the trade bodies that all modes and channels were being mobilised for purging the Sialkot district from the criminals aimed at converting into a crime-free district of the Punjab.
The crime rate as compared to other districts was lowest in Sialkot district and hectic efforts were being made to lower it further, he added.
In his address of welcome president Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Dr Nouman Idris Butt appealed to the Punjab chief minister that model traffic police should be deputed in Sialkot, keeping in view the importance and activities of Sialkot. The SCCI president assured that business community of the area would extend all possible help and co-operation for installation of close circuit cameras in the city.
Quoting a report of a national Urdu daily that there are 7,000 proclaimed offenders in Gujranwala division and crime wise Pakistan stands on ninth position in the world, Dr Nouman said this was highly alarming situation and the high-ups of police should think on this burning issue. The SCCI president pointed out that police was busy in impounding the transport as a result of which the business community engaged with manufacturing of soccer ball and exporters were badly suffering because exportable consignments were delayed. The police should be directed that trucks carrying footballs may not be challaned keeping in view the fast approaching Football World Cup, he demanded.
On this occasion the DPO directed the traffic police to refrain from impounding trucks carrying footballs consignments for onward delivery.