Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that police should spare no effort for protecting life and property of the citizens besides maintaining law and order, and the campaign for nabbing proclaimed offenders involved in heinous crimes should be further intensified and their hideouts should be traced.
He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting to review law and order situation of the province here on Monday, disclosed an official. The meeting was attended by Senior Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, Advisor Jehanzeb Burki, the Chief Secretary, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Home Secretary and other senior officers concerned.
He said Pakistan is passing through a critical phase of its history and facing serious security challenges. He also said nothing could be more important than maintenance of law and order in the present circumstances, therefore all-out resources are being utilised for this purpose. "Promotion of religious harmony and brotherhood is the need of the hour and the whole nation will have to unite on a single platform to foil the nefarious designs of anti-state elements," he added.
According to him, the police department has not only been equipped with the latest weapons but special attention is also being paid to train police force on modern lines. Intelligence agencies should ensure close co-ordination to ward off any unpleasant incident and should exchange information on regular basis.
Law enforcement agencies should also keep a watchful eye on the activities of anti-social elements and an effective system should be evolved at police station level in this regard. Co-operation of people is of vital importance for eradication of terrorism and they should keep an eye on their surroundings and immediately inform the police about suspicious elements.
"Senior police officers should ensure provision of justice to the common man, bring change in 'thana' (police station) culture and curbing the crime in their respective areas. They also should hold open courts on regular basis for providing an opportunity to the people to apprise them of their problems without any fear," he added.