LAHORE: Chief Secretary Azam Suleman said on Tuesday the check and balance system in Punjab would have to be strengthened to ensure good governance.

Presiding over a meeting of civil and police officers of Lahore division here at the Civil Secretariat, he urged them to work without any fear and focus on public service delivery. They would be given free hand but held accountable.

He said their performance would be reviewed monthly and those who fail to deliver would be removed from their posts. “There would be no tenure protection in case of poor performance,” he maintained.

He reiterated that the deputy commissioners and district police officers should hold joint open courts, besides conducting field visits to tehsils twice a week.

He directed them to show courtesy to parliamentarians and get their feedback to resolve problems of people. He also issued instructions regarding cleanliness, traffic arrangements and tree plantation in districts. He said enforcement of ban on burning crop residue must be ensured as part of measures to combat smog.

IGP Shoaib Dastgir ordered police officers to improve security arrangements in districts. Official resources of police must be used to prevent crime and stern action would be taken over misuse of these resources, he warned.

The meeting was attended by additional chief secretary, additional chief secretary (home), additional IG CTD, additional IG Special Branch, CCPO Lahore, RPO Sheikhupura, deputy commissioners, district police officers, assistant commissioners and DSPs of Lahore and Sheikhupura.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2019