LAHORE: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rao Sardar Ali Khan said on Wednesday action would be taken against those found involved in registration of fake FIRs.

He was addressing the media persons after assuming command of the Punjab police at the Central Police Office. South Punjab Additional IG retired Capt Zafar Iqbal, CCPO Ghulam Mahmood Dogar and other officers were present.

He said eradication of criminal elements including land grabbers was priority of the government.

“Police in collaboration with the district administration and other agencies will intensify operations against land grabbers of public and government property,” he said.

Mr Khan warned that police officers who were found guilty of sponsoring, assisting and partnering with land grabbers, would be expelled from the department. He said those found guilty of corruption would not be suspended or transferred but they would be removed from the department as in his view transfer was not a punishment.

He said the accused and proclaimed offenders should be brought on record and the process for their arrest should be expedited. He said timely registration of cases as well as legal action against those who had lodged false FIRs should not be delayed.

The IGP said more effective measures would be taken to prevent crimes against women and children and measures such as Women Safety App would be continued along with ensuring its proper publicity. He said all possible steps should be taken to prevent such crimes in collaboration with organisations and NGOs working for the protection of the rights of women, children and minorities.

He said capacity building of the investigating officers would be ensured to improve the investigative matters. He said the police response rate in case of emergency should be improved. All stakeholders including civil society, teachers, lawyers and the media should be taken on board under community policing to curb crime and bridge the gap between the police and the public, he said.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2021