LAHORE: Newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muhammad Tahir has said that in order to tackle the challenges confronting the department, adherence to merit will be ensured and a strategy of punishment and reward followed along with the welfare of the force.

Talking to the media after assuming charge here on Tuesday, the IGP dispelled the impression of any mass reshuffle in the police, saying that for the time being they were paying attention to ensuring a peaceful Muharram.

Mr Tahir said that it was a great responsibility to head the largest police force of the country and he would perform his duty with honesty and hard work. He said ‘thana culture’ depicted the overall culture of society and it was his utmost priority to follow the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police model and introduce Dispute Resolution Council along with other initiatives.

“I’ll pay special heed to timely registration and redressal of first information reports, and welfare programmes through modern policing in order to raise the morale of the force,” the IGP said.

To a question, he said a comprehensive plan was being devised to provide foolproof security during Muharram and the matter of transfers and postings will be considered later.

Meanwhile, former IGP Dr Syed Kaleem Imam held a farewell meeting with senior police officers.

This was also one of the rare occasions when a former IGP appeared during change of command. Usually in the past, outgoing IGPs would leave the charge a day before the arrival of a new officer or sign relieving documents at home and dispatch them to the city police office.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Imam expressed his gratitude to senior police officers for their team work.

He said he had tried his best to solve all problems honestly in consultation with the officers, which was evident from a peaceful conduct of the general elections.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2018