LAHORE: Interim Chief Minister Punjab Dr Hassan Askari has said that the police should maintain friendly ties with the people as per requirements of justice. The nation cannot ignore sacrifices of police martyrs who sacrificed their lives for peaceful and a secure life of the public, he said. Addressing a ceremony held at Alhamra in connection with Police Martyrs Day, Interim CM Punjab Dr Hassan Askari said the martyrs who sacrificed their lives while performing their official duties are our heroes and there are great objectives behind great sacrifices like martyrdom. Sacrifices and martyrdom are basic ingredients of our historic and national identity. Dr Hassan Askari said that discharge of duties with responsibility and defense of principles requires sacrifices. The great status of martyrdom is achieved when the respect and dignity of the department and collective welfare of society is kept supreme. The police officers and men sacrificed their lives while keeping in mind these objectives. This is the war of right and evil and this conflict is still continuing. The sacrifices of those who gave their lives in the war of right and evil are remembered forever. The great examples of sacrifices in the war of right and evil are present in large numbers in Islamic history. Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions gave great sacrifices for the right in Karbala. Their sacrifices still provide us guidance. He said the conflict of right and evil is still continuing but its dimensions have changed. The history of Pakistan is also filled with sacrifices and there are great examples of sacrifices from the war of independence until today. The nation has given unparalleled sacrifices in the war against terrorism. Incidents of terrorism have been reduced considerably due to sacrifices of Pakistan Army and security institutions, but still this war is continuing. The Army, Rangers and the police have discharged their duties efficiently by giving sacrifices. Ignoring the sacrifices of these martyrs is like ignoring our existence. These sacrifices are the guarantee of life. The sacrifices of martyrs are a matter of pride for us and the nation cannot ignore this. He said the Punjab government will cooperate with the police department for help the families of martyrs. He said the Punjab government was with the families of police martyrs and it’s still standing with them. The interim chief minister Punjab said enhancing the performance of the police by providing them modern technology to face the challenges of security is a praiseworthy act. He said he is hopeful that the police will face the changing challenges of the security with efficiency. He said those who discharge their duties in a professional manner are an example for others. The uniform of the police represents the confidence of the nation and policemen and officers will never ignore the respect for this uniform. They should always keep it in mind that the common man should feel comfort due to the attitude of police and should not be afraid of them. He said the purpose of this ceremony is to pay homage to police martyrs who are alive in our hearts forever. He said several policemen have been injured in the war against terrorism and they are not leading normal lives now. “Our wholehearted sympathies are with police martyrs,” Dr Askari said. Interim ministers Shaukat Javed, Zia Haider Rizwi, Ahmad Waqas Riaz, additional chief secretary, Inspector General Police Kalim Imam, City Police Officer BA Nasir, the mother of martyred Captain (r) Mubeen, widow of constable Ramzan, senior police officers and families of police martyrs attended the ceremony. One minute silence was observed on the occasion. The daughter of police martyr assistant sub-inspector Muhammad Amin, Atika, delivered an emotional speech. She said she was proud of being the daughter of a police martyr. Audience was moved to tears when late Constable Mumtaz Hussain’s son Ali Hasnain, delivered his speech. The daughter of martyred sub-inspector Musadaq, Hadia Musadaq said in her speech that she is not the daughter of Musadaq, but the daughter of Punjab police. His grandson said he also wanted to be a martyr like his grandfather. Interim Home Minister Shaukat Javed said in his speech that the Punjab police have rendered great sacrifices despite limited resources. “There are 1,462 martyrs of Punjab police in the war against terrorism,” he informed. Additional Chief Secretary Tariq Najeeb Najmi said we are leading a peaceful life due to the sacrifices of police martyrs. Inspector General Police Syed Kalim Imam said the doors of his office and home are always open for the families of police martyrs. Capital City Police Officer Lahore BA Nasir said the families of police martyrs are the chief guests of this ceremony. Published in Daily Times, August 5th 2018.