TAXILA, Aug 25: City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Azhar Hameed Khokar has said that Police reforms have been launched to make Punjab as crime-free province.

He was talking to newsmen after holding Open Court in the community centre in Taxila on Saturday. SDPO Raja Taifour Akhter and other police officials were also present on this occasion.

The RPO said that elimination of street crimes, providing protection and justice to people is the top priority of the present government and added that in this connection, collaborated efforts are needed.

He said that most of the powers at provincial level are being devolved to the district and divisional police officers while honest, experienced and committed officials are being posted as SHOs throughout the province.

He said that public complaints should be redressed at police station level so that people may get relief at the earliest and they should not have to contact anyone at senior police officer level.

He expressed his satisfaction on overall decrease in crime especially in cases of abduction for ransom in sub-division.

He directed police officers to carry hot pursuit of criminals till their arrest as it was the prime duty of the police to protect life, property and respect citizens.

On public demand, he announced establishment of a separate police station for the rural areas of Wah Cantt.

Moreover, he said that special steps would be taken to overhaul traffic system in Taxila as traffic problems are growing in the city.

He said that crackdown would be launched to curb rent a bike business in the city.

He said that more resources and manpower would be provided to Taxila and Wah Cantt police for better patrolling to check street crimes in the twin cities.