LAHORE: Inspector General Police Dr Usman Anwar has given a deadline to make functional newly established ‘protection centres’ for the transgender persons as well as homeless/street children in all regional offices of the province by Sunday (March 5) and in all the districts by March 12.

Presiding over a video-link conference of the regional police officers (RPOs) here on Thursday, he declared that the Centres had been established to provide legal aid and protection to the vulnerable sections of society.

“The protection centres will play a significant role in helping and protecting the transgender community and the destitute and homeless children,” the IGP said and added that the Punjab Police had introduced, for the first time, sustainable mega projects for the transpersons and the homeless children.

Many other issues also came under discussion in the conference and the IGP assigned special tasks to the regional and district police officers to resolve the issues of the citizens visiting the police stations.

He ordered the officers to ensure the best measures under personal supervision for the security of foreign nationals, especially the Chinese residents. He said the security of Chinese citizens was a priority and security inspections of all working sites, including Chinese citizens’ residences and offices, should be done regularly.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2023