Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that practical steps rather lip services are needed to curb the crimes and ensure an environment of peace. The chief minister stated this while presiding over a high-level meeting held at his office on Thursday. During the meeting, situation of law and order as well as steps regarding curbing crimes in the province were reviewed in detail. Addressing the meeting, Sardar Usman Buzdar said that result-oriented strategy should be adopted to overcome crimes. He said nothing is important than the protection of life and property of the people. While issuing directives to launch a vigorous campaign to arrest proclaimed offenders involved in heinous crimes, he said that a weekly report should be submitted to him about the arrest of such criminals. The meeting decided that immediate steps should be taken to timely dispose of pending cases. The Punjab chief minister made it clear that police officers concerned would be held accountable in case of increase in crime rate, adding that officers showing negligence in protecting the life and property of the citizens would have to be answerable. “I shall also regularly monitor the law and order situation because eradication of crime and protection of life and property of the people are top on government’s agenda,” he added. Sardar Usman Buzdar said that police should perform its duties without succumbing to any political pressure. The best performing officers will be encouraged. The supremacy of merit should be ensured and no unlawful pressure or interference should be tolerated, he added. He said that police should also leave no stone unturned to serve the masses and vowed to provide his fullest support to the police force:. He said that morale of police force will be boosted and it will be given organizational confidence as well. He asked police officers to hold open-courts in every division and district of the province to solve problems of complainants at their doorstep. The police should treat the people coming for the solution of their problems gently, he said. He said directed that refresher courses should be conducted to train police on modern lines. The officers should keep their doors open to solve problems of people and the visitors should realize a positive change in police stations. He said that police should shun its archaic methods and case investigations should be conducted in a scientific manner. “I shall hold meetings about law and order after every 15 days,” he said and also sought a report about the law and order situation in districts from the police officials. AIG (Home), acting IG police, principal secretary to CM and high officials attended the meeting. Published in Daily Times, January 11th 2019.