BAHAWALNAGAR: Under the Special Initiative of Police Stations (SIPS) project, all 22 police stations of Bahawalnagar have been upgraded with an aim to provide citizens with quick relief, change the thana culture and strengthen trust between public and police.

According to Bahawalpur Regional Police Officer Rai Babar Saeed, Bahawalnagar is the first district in Punjab where the SIPS has been introduced.

“It will not only help in creating a soft image of police, but it will also improve investigation process through the use of technology.”

He said 3G tablets for vehicles, air-conditioners for waiting rooms, LEDs, computers, water dispensers, CCTV cameras in all rooms, better furniture and upgraded buildings were part of the initiative

He said Maroot SIPS, a backward small town of Cholistan, had all the facilities of a modern police station. He said the credit went to Bahawalnagar DPO Ali Raza (now transferred) for implementing the project.

Regarding the cost of the project, DPO Raza said the expenditure incurred on the SIPS was in millions provided by the IG office. He said philanthropists, local politicians and some NGOs had also promised to fund the initiative.

PUNISHED: Four SHOs have been removed from their seats after they were proven guilty of misconduct in departmental inquiries.

The DPO office closed to line the SHOs of Chishtian A Division, Minchinabad, Mandi Sadiq Ganj and McLeod Ganj from police stations, and inquiries were initiated against them under the supervision of the DSP Legal.

Chishtian A Division SHO Saifullah Hanif was charge-sheeted for accepting a bribe of Rs 0.5 million and a commercial plot.

Minchinabad SHO Rao Muhammad Ali was accused of delaying FIRs, DSP Legal Muhammad Mohsin told Dawn.

He said inquiry against Mandi Sadiq Ganj SHO Amir Shah was ongoing.

Meanwhile, McLeod Ganj SHO Rao Farhat was also removed from the police station over misconduct.

A departmental inquiry has been initiated against him.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2023