LAHORE (Dunya News) – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed police authorities to prevent corrupt officers from being appointed as station house officers (SHOs) and ordered strict action against officials involved in corruption.
Chairing a meeting on law and order, the chief minister was briefed by the Punjab inspector general of police on the province’s overall crime situation. The briefing indicated a notable decline in several major crimes.
Maryam gave the IG a one-week deadline to identify and remove corrupt elements from the police force. She also called for a comprehensive plan to curb crimes against women and children, stressing that a zero-tolerance approach should be adopted against offenders.
The meeting approved linking the operational control of Dolphin Police with the relevant police stations. A September 30 deadline was also set for equipping Punjab Police personnel with body cameras, while prisoner vans will be fitted with GPS tracking and cameras.
The chief minister ordered strict action over incidents involving prisoner escapes and directed authorities to intensify efforts against burglary. She also called for a targeted cleanup operation to eliminate crime in Sheikhupura.
According to the briefing, robbery declined by 54 percent, murder by 35 percent, car robbery by 46 percent and motorcycle theft by 53 percent across Punjab.
In Lahore, murders fell by 43 percent, robberies by 32 percent, car theft by 43 percent and motorcycle theft by 54 percent.
CM Maryam said district police chiefs would be held accountable where crime rates remain high, reiterating that the protection of women and children was a top priority.