IG Punjab Abdul Kareem chaired Important meeting on police reforms.
Under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision of ‘Fast, Fearless, Transparent Justice,’ steps for the implementation of reforms in Punjab Police were reviewed,
Major reforms in Punjab Police: Body cameras, panic buttons, respectful behavior with citizens made mandatory.
Zero tolerance for corruption and misconduct; immediate accountability of police officers will be ensured: IG Punjab
Inspector General of Police Punjab Abdul Kareem chaired an important meeting regarding police reforms at the Central Police Office, in which a detailed review was conducted of the implementation of reform measures in Punjab Police under the ‘Fast, Fearless, Transparent Justice’ vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif. IG Punjab said that police and traffic personnel will be provided body cameras in phases, and within the next two months the entire force will be equipped with body cameras. IG Punjab said that panic buttons are being installed outside police stations so that citizens can immediately lodge complaints in case of any misconduct or lack of hearing. IG Punjab directed that at all police stations, offices, checkpoints, and Khidmat Marakaz, citizens should be addressed respectfully as “Sir or Madam” and “Sahib or Sahiba.” He said that emergency measures have been initiated to improve the overall perception of Punjab Police’s conduct, under which counseling and training of officers and personnel will be arranged.
It was made clear in the meeting that officials involved in corruption, abuse of authority, and misconduct will face immediate and strict accountability. IG Punjab directed that CCTV cameras installed in all police stations be kept fully operational and backup systems be ensured. A modern control and monitoring room is being activated at the Central Police Office for effective monitoring of police stations, while through the Safe Cities mechanism, direct monitoring of police stations, SHOs, moharrirs, and investigation rooms will be carried out. IG Punjab directed RPOs and DPOs to formulate a comprehensive mechanism for the implementation of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s reform vision and to immediately extend police reforms to the entire force, including traffic police, police stations, Khidmat Marakaz, checkpoints, and field formations. He emphasized making core policing, supervision, and the command system more effective for crime control and said that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif herself is overseeing all police reform measures.
The meeting also issued instructions to strictly enforce traffic laws and to continue the crackdown against violations of helmet use, lane discipline, and one-way traffic. Continuous monitoring of police performance is ongoing through Emergency Helpline 15 and the Safe Cities system. IG Punjab said that the investigation process and the activities of citizens visiting police stations will be fully recorded and that Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) scorecards will be implemented in practical terms. He said that he himself is calling applicant citizens from the Central Police Office to obtain feedback. He directed RPOs and DPOs to initiate direct contacts and meetings for redressal of citizens’ grievances, while in cases of abuse, harassment, and violence, investigations involving affected women and children should be conducted within the bounds of complete civility and respect. Instructions were also given to resolve cases of women and children on a priority basis with the help of data from Virtual Women Police Stations and the Center for Child Safety. In the end, IG Punjab Abdul Kareem directed all officers to ensure swift implementation of the Chief Minister Punjab’s police reform agenda.
Handout No. 113)
Syed Mubasher Hussain
Director Public Relations
Punjab Police
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