LAHORE, Oct 3: Governor Khalid Maqbool has approved a comprehensive procedure for the redressal of public complaints received through mail at the Governor’s House, says a handout.

Now the provincial advisor on public complaints, Brig Yasoob Ali Dogar retired, will monitor every week investigation of cases regarding torture against women and children, kidnapping, murder and rape after the lapse of preliminary investigation period by police.

According to Mr Dogar, complaints cell set up at the Governor’s House will ensure that police do not show any dereliction of duty towards registration of social crimes of heinous nature. DIG Police will submit weekly reports to the complaints cell at the Governor’s House regarding the pace of investigation of the case and the arrest of the offenders. Such cases where there is possibility of arbitration will be sent to the district nazim concerned for personal hearing and settlement.

Citizens can send their complaints to the Governor’s House through letter or fax 9200025 in case his grievances are not redressed by the concerned government agencies.

In case of an emergency the matter can be brought to the notice of the complaints cell on telephone 9203125 till 10 pm.

Dogar said that since the setting up of the complaints cell about 150 complaints were being received daily out of which 80 per cent applications were about denial of justice in criminal cases. “These complaints are given priority according to the seriousness of the crime.”

He said that till the setting up of Public Safety Commissions at the district level, the complaints cell at the Governor’s House would continue to ascertain facts regarding violation of human rights with the coordination of local human rights associations whereas with regards to complaints regarding postings and transfers and dereliction of duty by the concerned department towards solution to people’s problems, a report would be sought from the secretary of the department concerned.

Brig Dogar further said that the Punjab government was also considering a proposal that all chambers of commerce and industry in the province should appoint coordinating officers to provide guidance to the unemployed people regarding jobs in the private industries according to their skill and education as the Governor’s House could not serve as employment exchange.