RAWALPINDI: Mohammad Nadeem, a gold medalist law graduate, worked as a labourer in Muzaffargarh till last year when he joined the Punjab police as a sub-inspector after passing the provincial competitive exam.

On Monday, as Nadeem completed his nine-month training at the Police College Sihala along with 407 others, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif appreciated his hard work and determination to serve the nation by joining the police.

Speaking at the passing-out parade, the chief minister said: “The Punjab government believes in merit and it is enough to prove that a labourer, who worked hard and secured a gold medal at the graduation level, joined the police to serve the nation.”

Expressing concerns over the alarming increase in sectarian violence and terrorist activities, he said terrorists were now targeting worship places and educational institutions.

“Now it is the duty of the anti-terrorism squad and the police department to prove their professional abilities to check such incidents.” He said people were afraid of criminals, robbers and terrorists and the police should create a sense of security among the citizens by showing their vigilance to maintain peace.

Mr Sharif said he had started a struggle for changing the “thana culture” in 1998 by recruiting police inspectors through the public service commission but after the PML-N government was overthrown, his vision could not be materialised.

He said the country was passing through a difficult phase due to the menace of terrorism. He said the police can improve its image and gain the respect of the government as well as the citizen by improving its performance and efficiency. He said the Punjab government had paid special attention on improving the image of the police and transform the thana culture.

He added: “We must be proud of the sacrifices of all those who lost their lives while defending the nation against terrorists.” The war on terror can only be won when there is social justice in society.

The 408 sub-inspectors were appointed out of about 70,000 applicants, including 76 women, through the Punjab Public Service Commission and the NTS test. Among the ASIs were one PhD scholar, 31 engineers while 34 held LLB, 17 MBA, 35 MSc, 22 MPhil and 48 MA degrees.

The chief minister announced a special cash prize of Rs2.5 million for the officials who imparted training to the sub-inspectors. He also announced ‘big city allowance’ for the employees of the Police College.

The chief minister on the occasion also said 30 of the trainers would be sent for further training in Turkey.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2015

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