Daily Times

The opposition in Punjab Assembly on Monday grilled the government over the deteriorating law and order situation in the province.

The lawmakers from the opposition benches said that the crime will not be controlled by just changing the IG Police but there is a dire need to change someone else in the coveted office. They were referring towards changing Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to get good results in the province.

The session of Punjab Assembly started after a delay of more than one and half hour from its scheduled time with Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari in the chair. Senior lawmaker from PML-N Chaudhry Iqbal opened the debate during the general discussion on law and order situation of the province. Earlier, answers related to the Irrigation Department were given by concerned parliamentary secretary Ashraf Rind during the question-hour.

Speaking on the law and order situation, Pakistan People’s Party’s parliamentary leader Syed Hassan Murtaza said that if Zulifqar Ali Bhutto can be sentenced then why not a “sipahi” can be brought to book. Has there anyone with courage to speak on former DG ISPR Asim Saleem Bajwa, he asked while adding that the issues will be resolved if the law is equally applied to everyone. The things cannot be come on its right track until merits are followed, he claimed. He further added that ‘Afsarshahi’ is being done in the name of police funds. The complainants suffered the expenses of even ‘paper and pen’ today in the course of investigations. “No one could resolve the issues of law and order by changing Inspector General Punjab (IGPs)”. The treasury lawmakers were annoyed when the PPP’s leader Murtaza indicated silently to change only a single person rather than IGPs for the purpose to resolve all issues. He was of the view that the crime rate is doubled now while incidents of street crime in Lahore have become routine matter. He also grilled the government for not providing justice to the victims of Sahiwal tragedy. According to PPP leader, the CCPO Lahore was changed because he refused to arrest the political workers.

Provincial law minister Raja Basharat while expelling the opposition’s impression said that the law and order situation is satisfactory in Punjab. He said that it is PTI led government which purchased 500 police vehicles after 15 years adding that how could the good results be expected from any department until it is provided with best facilities. The previous regime established the highway police but no vehicle was purchased for them in last 15 years, he added. To fulfill the deficiency, they are going to recruit over 5000 people in police. Strict action will be taken against those who found involved in hate speeches, said law minister. He also condemned the incident occurred outside the NAB office at the arrival of PMLN leader Maryam Nawaz. The Law Minister also said that it is really unfortunate the way sectarianism is being promoted here through Shia-Sunni divide. It is really alarming and stern action will be taken against those who will promote sectarianism here, warned Law Minister.

The session was later adjourned to meet again on Tuesday afternoon.