Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday directed Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to rid the police force of personnel with criminal record.
He directed the CM to scrutinize police force and identify those with criminal background. He asked the chief minister to expedite the scrutiny process.
PM Khan said police system needed to be overhauled in the province on immediate basis.
Buzdar said the scrutiny process had already begun in the Police Department, adding it would take around six months for its completion.
The premier on Jan 21 promised reforms in Punjab Police after the Sahiwal incident and said anyone found guilty will be given an “exemplary punishment.” In a tweet, he said “the incumbent premier said the grief and anger of the people of Pakistan over the Sahiwal incident was understandable & justified.”
PM Imran directs Punjab CM to identify officials with criminal record in police force
“I assure the nation that when I return from Qatar not only will the guilty be given exemplary punishment, but I will review the entire structure of Punjab Police & start process of reforming it,” he held.
The calls for reforms in the Punjab Police erupted after a horrific encounter by Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel in which three members of the family were killed.
Four people, including two women, were killed in a shady encounter involving the Punjab Police’s CTD on a highway in the Qadirabad area of Sahiwal district over the weekend.
“While the CTD has done a great job in fight against terrorism, everyone must be accountable before the law,” the prime minister had stated, promising that as soon as a JIT report comes, swift action would be taken against those found responsible. “The govt’s priority is protection of all its citizens.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to reach Lahore on a daylong visit today. According to sources, Prime Minister Imran Khan will preside over a high level meeting to review governance of Punjab government.
The prime minister will also hold separate meetings with the Punjab governor and the chief minister.Sources further said that the Prime Minister is also expected to meet the families of victims of the Sahiwal tragedy during his stay in Lahore.
Published in Daily Times, January 27th 2019.
