Inspector General Police, Punjab, Shaukat Javed has said the investigation system introduced under Police Order 2002 has not produced desired results and added that to ensure better performance by the force Unity command system will be re-introduced in police.
Addressing press conference after assuming the office of IGP, Punjab here on Friday, the IGP vowed to end "Thana culture" and make police a people-friendly force. He said pro-active policy would be pursued to eliminate crime and a drive would be launched against proclaimed offenders. "Cases of challaned accused would be actively pursued in courts to ensure speedy justice." He said that special focus would be given on ensuring registration of cases adding that people coming to police stations for lodging complaints would be accorded with respect and provided proper guidance.
He said effective steps would be taken to control crime in order to provide sense of security to people adding that the trend of not registering cases to show that crime graph was low, would be discouraged.
"Strict action would be taken against police officials for not registering cases as it was essential to provide security to people." He said Shops Establishment Act, which was introduced during the tenure of Mian Shahbaz Sharif as Chief Minister of the province, would be re-implemented. Under the act, owners of shops, enterprises, petrol pumps etc would themselves arrange security of their concerns.
He said steps would also be taken to end VIP culture and police personnel performing VIP duties would be withdrawn and assigned patrolling duties. He said that except for VVIPs, other people would have to arrange their security themselves. Similarly stoppage of traffic and use of hooter would not be allowed until it is extremely essential. The IG said steps would also be taken for the betterment of police officials and their working condition would be improved besides providing them better salaries.
He said the previous government took various steps without approval of the National Police Management Board. "Traffic Police Wardens were also appointed without approval of the Board," he added.
However, he said, in future, wardens would be recruited through Public Service Commission. He said police would ensure proper co-ordination with media hoping it would play positive role through constructive criticism on police and point out its lapses.
To a question about countering terrorism, he said police and law enforcement agencies alone could not achieve the objective of curbing it. "Political dialogue and religious harmony are equally important in this regard," he added.