LAHORE: Inspector General Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar has directed the capital city police to launch a crackdown on proclaimed offenders (POs) involved in serious crimes, and get their national identity cards and passports cancelled through the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).

He gave the orders while presiding over a meeting at the CCPO office here on Saturday that was attended by CCPO Bilal Siddique Kamyana, DIG Operations Afzaal Ahmad Kausar, DIG Investigation Sohail Sukhera, DIG IT Ahsan Younas, SSP Admin Atif Nazir and officers of investigation and operation wings.

Dr Anwar said the passports of the POs should also be canceled, beside taking measures for their arrest, in coordination with the Interpol and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

He ordered the investigation officers (IOs) to spare no effort for arresting the POs and keep in touch with the plaintiffs of the cases for exchange of information and intelligence.

Dr Anwar said all available resources should be used for the security of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches to be held at the Gaddafi Stadium and for the players’ and officials security.

He also ordered crackdown on drug peddlers in the vicinity of major educational institutions on a daily basis.

The IGP said the regional and district police officers should personally monitor the combing operations to eliminate the scourge of modern drugs, especially ice (crystalline meth).

Dr Anwar ordered launching the process of departmental recruitment of the children of Lahore police martyrs.

He said special focus should be on cases of rape, disappearance and kidnapping of children, saying, “I will again take update after 15 days and set one-month deadline to complete all pending case files of 2022.”He said improving the welfare facilities for Lahore police was one of his top priorities and all possible cooperation of his office would continue in this regard.

The IG said circle officers would be awarded prizes for arresting maximum POs and timely resolving citizens issues.

He also directed that IT-based facilities at the police service centres be increased for the convenience of the citizens and service delivery should be further improved in the light of the people’s feedback.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2023