PM directs Punjab Police to shun political pressure

| Imran Khan says political appointments adversely impacted police performance 

| Performs groundbreaking of Sheikhupura-Gujranwala road | PM, Parvez Elahi 

discuss Senate polls on phone

LAHORE   -    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday directed the Punjab Police Inspector General Inam Ghani not to succumb to any political pressure and utilise all resources to protect the lives and property of citizens.

“No one is above the law. Police personnel should not succumb to any political influence or pressure”, the PM remarked while chairing a meeting on police reforms and performance of the Punjab Police here.

Imran Khan regretted that political appointments made in the police during the previous regimes adversely impacted the performance of the department.

The Prime Minister in his day-long visit to the provincial capital chaired meetings on agriculture reforms, economic development and law and order situation in Punjab. The Prime Minister also launched a new inspection-less regime in Lahore to facilitate growth of industries and also the small and medium enterprises. He also performed the groundbreaking of a project of dualization of Sheikhupura-Gujranwala Road on public-private partnership basis.

Also, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar met in Lahore and discussed the overall situation in Punjab. The meeting focused on the pace of development projects in Punjab.

In the meeting on police reforms, IGP Inam Ghani briefed the prime minister about the progress on reforms related to the Punjab Police and informed that proposals on financial autonomy of police stations and mechanism on reconciliatory council had been presented to the chief minister.

The prime minister asked the police chief to take strict action against police officials creating hurdles in the way of dispensing justice to the people. He also stressed the use of modern technology to control crimes while emphasising on resolving the problems of citizens on merit.

He noted that the treatment of police on the basis of equality and law would lead to satisfaction of citizens and asked the Punjab IGP to focus on improving the image of his department. Calling for postings and transfers on the basis of merit to ensure dispensation of justice, the prime minister stressed that appointing honest officials at important positions had its impact from top to the grassroots level. He said nabbing big criminals gave a warning to little offenders to refrain from indulging in crimes.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the performance of Punjab chief secretary and IGP.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and PM’s Special Assistant Shahzad Akbar were also present in the meeting.

Development of agriculture vital to progress

Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Friday told media persons that Prime Minister Imran Khan has declared development in the agriculture sector inevitable in the process of development and directed to remove all obstacles hindering public relief and welfare.

Briefing the media about the prime minister’s meetings in Lahore, she said the Punjab which used to provide 70 per cent of food supply to the province in the past is now suffering due to lack of technological advancement, outdated agricultural machinery and non-availability of water and seed.

Dr Firdous said the Prime Minister in his meeting with Chief Minister Usman Buzdar lauded the steps taken by the government for the uplift of disenfranchised strata of the society. The PM also appreciated the measures taken by the government for good governance as well as development projects in the province, she added.   

The Special Assistant said that the provincial ministers apprised the Prime Minister on initiatives and performance of the agriculture sector and other related departments. She said that the government was committed to provide relief to inflation-hit masses and reiterated that protection of consumers’ rights would be ensured. The government imposed millions of rupees fine and arrested hundreds of people on the charges of price hike and hoarding, she further said.   

Dr Firdous said that Pakistani products were gaining popularity in the global market hence every effort should be made to ensure the access of farmers’ products to the world market. She said the PM appreciated the efforts of Chief Secretary Punjab and IG Punjab for operation and action against land mafias.

The Special Assistant said that the effective initiatives of the government were keeping the wheel of the economy moving. She said that the government is taking all-out efforts to enhance national exchequer which previously used to go to the pockets of labour inspectors through inspection less regime. The Special Assistant said the PM performed the groundbreaking ceremony of Sheikhupura-Gujranwala road under public-private partnership and directed the implementation of a roadmap to connect small towns with big cities.  

Answering a question on increase in petroleum products, the Special Assistant said that the former rulers looted the national exchequer ruthlessly and left behind nothing. She said the increase in petroleum products is due to the rise in the international price. She said the PML-N government patronized land mafias but the incumbent government is taking action against the land grabbers and mafias. She said PDM leaders had nothing to do with public welfare and they were crying only for lust of power.

PM, Parvez Elahi discuss Senate polls

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan during his visit to the provincial metropolis on Friday telephoned Speaker Punjab Assembly Ch Parvez Elahi and discussed with him the issues relating to the upcoming Senate elections. The prime minister reportedly asked Parvez Elahi to sit with the Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to chalk out a joint strategy regarding the Senate polls.