Daily Times

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif reviewed in detail law and order situation in south Punjab, especially Bahawalpur Division, at a meeting presided over by him at the Commissioner Office in Bahawalpur on Thursday.

Addressing the meeting, he announced to launch Dolphin Police Service in Bahawalpur and Safe City Project in Multan. The chief minister said that Lahore Dolphin Force has displayed splendid performance and this service would gradually be extended to all big cities of the province, adding that it has also been decided to launch Safe City Project in Multan.

He said that front desks would be set up in more than 200 police stations to improve thana culture while satellite centres of forensic science lab would be established at divisional and district level under a phased programme. He said that police would have to come up to the expectations of the masses, while corruption would not be tolerated at any cost.

“Protection of life and property of masses is the top priority of Punjab government and no effort will be spared for the improvement of law and order situation of the province. Indiscriminate action will be taken against the elements violating the ban on use of loudspeakers, delivering provocative speeches or publishing or distributing literature spreading hatred,” he added.

He said that demand of justice could be fulfilled only through supremacy of law, and directed that police should eliminate criminal elements as well as violators of the law. “Operation will be continued against criminals on the basis of intelligence while modern technology will be fully utilised for controlling the ratio of crimes,” he added.

Shahbaz directed to activate Citizen Police Liaison Committees and said that these committees would help in improving law and order situation. Addressing police and administrative officers present in the meeting, the chief minister stressed upon them to perform their duties efficiently as it is their national responsibility.

He said that potable water is right of every citizen and no tehsil of south Punjab would remain deprived of drinking water. Shahbaz issued instructions for immediate release of funds for public welfare projects and said that work on Cadet College in Rahim Yar Khan would be started during current year. The chief minister announced to re-operate five livestock farms in Cholistan and directed to take immediate measures for making these farms functional.

He said that a comprehensive plan be evolved for promotion of education in settled area of Cholistan, and directed that schemes for improvement of educational and health facilities should be completed on priority basis. He said that those schemes, on which 70 percent work has been completed, should be executed as soon as possible. He further directed to complete the work on sewerage projects and repair and reconstruction of roads at the earliest. Shahbaz said that Punjab government has made saving of Rs 112 billion in the projects of gas-based powerhouses by maintaining transparency.

Federal and provincial ministers, members national and provincial assemblies, Punjab inspector general, Bahawalpur RPO and DPOs attended the meeting while Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, Advisor on Health Kh Salman Rafique, chief secretary and concerned authorities participated from Civil Secretariat.