Crime reporters Punjab Police’s eyes, ears, partners in ensuring justice: IGP Abdul Kareem

LAHORE, Sep 01 (APP): Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem on Tuesday said that crime reporters played an important role in identifying, guiding and providing feedback to police for controlling crime and ensuring justice to citizens.

Addressing the “Meet the Press” programme organised by the Lahore Press Club during his visit to the club, the IGP appreciated the role of crime reporters in crime prevention, social reform and strengthening the accountability process.

The IGP said crime reporters were the “eyes, ears and partners” of the Punjab Police in ensuring the provision of justice to citizens, adding that their cooperation with the police system promoted improvement, reforms and balance in policing.

Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari, Secretary General Afzal Talib and other office-bearers welcomed the IGP. DIG Operations Lahore, DIG Investigation Lahore and AIG Administration and Security were also present.

The IGP said the police station was the basic mechanism of service delivery in nearly 800 police stations across the province. Under the vision and directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, improvements and reforms were being introduced in the

policing system, he added.

He said automated systems, Safe City cameras, Virtual Women Police Station, Virtual Centre for Child Safety, body cameras and panic buttons were among the major reforms being implemented to improve policing and public service delivery.

“The objective of police is to provide justice to the people,” the IGP said, adding that measures were being taken to ensure relief to citizens at police stations.

Regarding the Crime Control Department (CCD), Abdul Kareem said its scope was limited and cases falling within its jurisdiction were being handed over to it.

He said effective measures had resulted in a significant decline in serious crimes.

The IGP said departmental proceeding had been initiated against corruption and irregularities in the police, from the rank of constable to senior-level officers.

He said a transparent system of self-accountability was in place in all departments of the Punjab Police, including the CCD. He made it clear that no leniency would

be shown in cases involving allegations of corruption, misconduct or misuse of authority.

Abdul Kareem said crime against property in Punjab had almost been eliminated, while the traffic system had also witnessed improvement.

He said around 80 per cent of crimes against children and women involved relatives or people known to the victims. On the directions of chief minister, immediate action was being taken against sexual crimes targeting women and children, he added.

Abdul Kareem said elite orientation courses were being conducted up to the ASP level, while a promotion board for promotion from sub-inspector to inspector would soon be convened.

Speaking about body cameras, the IGP said the chief minister had provided Rs12 billion for the initiative. A consignment of 1,000 body cameras had already arrived, while

around 500 more were expected to be received on Tuesday and additional cameras would arrive soon.

“Now every police officer will have a body camera at checkpoints,” he said.

The IGP said peace had been established in the riverine (Katcha) areas due to effective police action and government measures.

He further said an act against illegal weapons was being introduced and its summary was under process.

At the conclusion of programme, Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari presented a shield to IGP Abdul Kareem. The IGP also presented souvenirs on behalf of Punjab Police to the president and other office-bearers of the Lahore Press Club.