CM Maryam orders action to keep corrupt officers from SHO posts
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed police authorities to prevent corrupt officers from being appointed as station house officers (SHOs). She also ordered strict action against police officials involved in corruption and called for stronger accountability across the force.
The directives were issued during a law and order meeting, where the Punjab inspector general of police briefed the chief minister on the province’s crime situation. According to the briefing, several major crimes have declined significantly across Punjab.
One-week deadline for police cleanup
Maryam Nawaz gave the Punjab IG a one-week deadline to identify and remove corrupt elements from the police force. The chief minister stressed that officers involved in corruption should not be given important field positions, particularly SHO posts.
The directive aims to improve police performance and strengthen public confidence in law enforcement. She also called for a comprehensive strategy to deal with crimes against women and children.
Zero tolerance for crimes against women and children
The chief minister said crimes against women and children must be dealt with through a zero-tolerance approach. She directed police authorities to take strict action against those involved in such offences.
Maryam also stressed the need to strengthen protection for vulnerable groups and ensure that complaints are handled effectively. She said district police chiefs would be held accountable in areas where crime rates remain high.
Body cameras and GPS tracking ordered
The meeting also approved several measures aimed at improving police monitoring and accountability. A September 30 deadline was set for equipping Punjab Police personnel with body cameras.
The government also decided to install GPS tracking systems and cameras in prisoner vans. The measures are intended to improve oversight during police operations and the transportation of prisoners.
Dolphin Police operational control to be linked
The meeting approved linking the operational control of Dolphin Police with the relevant police stations. The move is expected to improve coordination between Dolphin Police units and local police stations.
Better coordination could help officers respond more effectively to incidents and improve policing at the local level. The government is also seeking stronger monitoring of police operations across the province.
Strict action ordered over prisoner escapes
Maryam Nawaz directed police authorities to take strict action over incidents involving prisoner escapes. She ordered officials to identify weaknesses that could allow prisoners to escape and take measures to prevent such incidents.
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The chief minister also directed police to intensify efforts against burglary. Authorities were further asked to launch a targeted cleanup operation against crime in Sheikhupura.
Punjab records decline in major crimes
The police briefing showed a decline in several major crimes across Punjab. According to the figures presented at the meeting, robbery declined by 54%, murder by 35%, car robbery by 46% and motorcycle theft by 53%.
The figures were presented as an indication of improvement in the overall crime situation in the province. However, the chief minister made it clear that police authorities must continue working to reduce crime further.
Lahore also sees drop in crime
Lahore also recorded significant declines in several major crimes, according to the briefing. Murders in the provincial capital fell by 43%, while robberies declined by 32%.
Car theft dropped by 43%, and motorcycle theft decreased by 54%. Despite the decline, Maryam Nawaz directed police officials to remain focused on crime prevention and public safety.
District police chiefs to face accountability
The chief minister reiterated that district police chiefs would be held accountable in areas where crime rates remain high. The directive places greater responsibility on senior police officers to monitor crime trends and improve law enforcement.
Officials will also be expected to take timely action against officers involved in corruption or poor performance. The government wants police leadership to remain focused on public safety and ensure that serious complaints are not left unaddressed.
