LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has given police four weeks to improve the overall law and order situation, particularly crimes against women and children, warning that the officers concerned will be removed if the situation fails to improve.
She expressed concern over the law and order situation in Rawalpindi Division and directed the police to intensify action against serious crimes, corruption within the force and illegal possession of weapons.
The Chief Minister issued these directives while chairing a special meeting on law and order, attended by Regional Police Officers (RPOs) and District Police Officers (DPOs) through video link. Detailed briefings were given on the law and order situation in every division and district.
IG Punjab briefed the Chief Minister on the overall security situation across the province, including the Multan incident and other serious crimes.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the police to ensure strict enforcement of the ban on camera-equipped glasses and other surveillance devices. She also ordered preventive action and recoveries against individuals possessing illegal weapons.
Expressing dissatisfaction with traffic management, she directed the police to ensure action against over speeding.
She also ordered an intensified anti-corruption campaign within the police department and strict action against personnel involved in corrupt practices.
The Chief Minister directed the police to prevent wheat smuggling from all districts, particularly areas along provincial borders. She instructed all RPOs to hold weekly meetings to review all categories of crime and submit performance reports of the relevant DPOs.
She ordered province-wide police patrolling to ensure a visible presence of law enforcement personnel and create a sense of fear of the law among criminals. She also directed police officers to personally visit the organisers of the Tableeghi Ijtima.
The Chief Minister praised the RMC police force for its effective performance during the proposed sit-in and paid tribute to police personnel who lost their lives while performing their duties. She directed the provision of lifetime salaries and financial packages for the families of martyred police officers.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the police to ensure effective patrolling by the Dolphin Force in Lahore and provide it with motorcycles and other necessary facilities.
She said there would be no tolerance for the culture of hooliganism in Punjab and that those involved would not be spared. She ordered an intensified crackdown on narcotics and comprehensive measures to identify crime hotspots and dismantle criminal networks.
The Chief Minister also directed the authorities to continue capacity-building of the specialised RMC police force to effectively deal with crowds and maintain law and order.
Crime reduction across Punjab
According to the briefing, the overall crime rate in Punjab continued to show a declining trend, with significant reductions reported in several regions and districts, crime in Lahore declined by 41 percent while the Dera Ghazi Khan region recorded a 16 percent reduction.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026