RAWALPINDI, Jan 27: The Punjab government has allocated Rs19 billion for improving the performance of Punjab police and to equip the force with the latest resources including transport, weapons and communication system, official sources said.

Besides provision of huge funds, it has also been decided to recruit 15,000 constables and 6,000 traffic police officers whose salary will be equal to the patrolling police.

Out of Rs19 billion, Rs100 million has been set aside for the welfare of police force. Besides financial assistance to the families of the martyred police employees, medical facilities and scholarships worth lakhs of rupees were being provided to the children of police employees for transport and shift systems during long duty hours to the police officers.

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Friday held a meeting attended by all DIGs, SSPs and SPs of the province and reviewed law and order situation. He urged the police officers to take effective measures to protect the life and property of the public. Inspector General of Punjab Police Ziaul Hassan Khan on Friday held a Darbar-i-Aam of police officers and jawans at the police lines.

The IGP called upon the police force to bring about a positive change in their behaviour and take effective measures to protect the life and property of the people.