May 2, 2003	Friday	Safar 29, 1424

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RAWALPINDI, May 1: Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Thursday vowed to transform the police into a public- serving force and announced a grant of Rs50 million for the expansion and renovation of Sihala Police College.

He was speaking at the annual passing-out parade at Sihala Police College. Federal Minister Abdus Sattar Lalika, Dr Sher Afgan Niazi MNA, Senator Dr Waseem Shehzad, IGP Syed Masood Shah, Commandant college, Mohammad Ali and other high-ranking officials were present on the occasion.

The chief minister also announced an additional grant of Rs4.5 million for the construction of two residences (bungalows) for the police officers. He said maintenance of peace was pre- requisite to winning the confidence of the foreign investors, which could only be achieved if the police were trained on modern lines and equipped with modern sophisticated weapons to fight crime.

He said the government was taking all steps for the welfare of the police department but at the same time it expected of them to serve the public with commitment and devotion.

Later talking to the reporters, the chief minister said the government would not only ensure friendly attitude of police towards the people but also make it a criterion of promotion. He emphasised the need for better training of police officers and expressed his willingness to arrange foreign training for them, if required.

He said funds would also be allocated in the budget for police training and welfare and added that in return he wanted a friendly attitude of police towards the citizens. “Police working will improve only if they are given proper training, basic facilities and self-respect,” Pervaiz Elahi said.

Answering a question, he said the basic purpose of establishing police posts on highways was to check incidents of robbery and dacoity. He said the police staff posted at these posts would be equipped and provided with all basic facilities and added that 10,000 police officers would be recruited for these posts.

Earlier, the inspector general of police Syed Masud Shah in his welcome address said 1,000 police officers were being trained at the college annually. He said better training enabled a police officer to check crimes properly.

He pledged to make police stations Dar-ul-Aman where everyone could come without any fear. The IGP said a martyred police officer’s family would be provided a house and free education for the children up to graduation.

Syed Masood Shah said Rs20 million had been granted for police welfare fund, while free medical aid had already been given to the police officers suffering from serious diseases.

Earlier on his arrival at the college, the chief minister along with the IGP inspected a smart contingents of police. Later on, he distributed prizes among those officers who had shown the best performance during their training.