Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over a high-level meeting at Arfa Karim Software Technology Park on Thursday, which reviewed overall law and order situation and security arrangements in the province.
The meeting decided to expand the scope of use of information technology to the whole province for improving efficiency of police stations and provision of prompt justice to the common person. In this connection, the pilot project for the computerisation of 10 police stations of Lahore will be extended to all police stations of Punjab under a phased programme.
The Chief Minister directed concerned authorities to evolve a comprehensive project in this regard and said that besides short term planning, medium and long term planning should also be made as use of information technology can help in reducing crime rate and providing prompt justice to the common person at police stations. He said that modern technology is of vital importance for resolving the problems and provision of justice to the citizens at police stations. He said that information and communication measures could help control crimes and maintain law and order. He said that computerization of police stations will improve their performance; therefore, full benefit should be taken from information technology for further enhancing efficiency of Punjab police.
PITB on the prowl for “Thana Culture”
The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) Chairman Dr. Umar Saif said that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) might be highly effective in maintaining law and order and changing the “Thana Culture” in Punjab.
He was briefing on PITB’s initiatives aimed at bringing police reforms in a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held at Arfa Software Technology Park on Thursday.
The meeting was attended amongst others by Home Minister Punjab Col. (Retd) Shuja Khanzada, former law minister Rana SanaUllah Khan, Special Assistant to CM Punjab Rana Maqbool Ahmad, IGP Punjab Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera, CCPO Lahore Captain (Retd) Muhammad Ameen and DIG Operations Dr. Haider Ashraf.
Dr. Saif said that Intelligence Surveillance System of Police and investigation system were being fortified by computerisation and digitisation that would be much helpful in controlling POs and culprits.
He said that the computerised system of FIR and complaints registration was being extended to the entire Punjab after its successful launching in all police stations of Lahore. “The automation of most of the police system will yield positive results and the common public will be the end beneficiary of such use of modern technology,” he added.
The chief minister along with other participants admired innovative initiatives introduced by the PITB and hoped that they would play a vital role in changing the ‘thana culture’ in Punjab as anticipated by the nonprofessional living in a backward area.
Shehbaz Sharif directed that Punjab police should extend the scope of FIR information system. He said that immediate and effective measures are needed to restore the confidence of the masses in police. He said that accountability system of police officers and staff could result in substantial improvement at police station level as well as transformation of Thana culture. He directed that an effective system of accountability should be ensured in police, as it will result in positive changes at police station level. He further directed to compile a complete data of police officers and staff with information technology. He said that resources will continue to be provided to police but it should show results.
The Chief Minister directed that RPOs and DPOs should regularly visit their concerned police stations to review their efficiency. Inspector General Police informed the meeting that 15 System is being upgraded and linked with police stations. He said that posting of Admin Officers in police stations is yielding positive results. Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board Umer Saif gave a detailed briefing on the measures taken for benefiting from information technology in police stations.
SAAF PANI PROJECT:
Meanwhile, Shehbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting here today which reviewed the progress on Saaf Pani Project.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that Saaf Pani project is of vital importance. He directed that the project should be completed speedily while transparency and standard should also be maintained. He said that no compromise would be made on the standard and transparency of the project. He said that solar panels would be installed for operating water filtration plants. He said that Saaf Pani Project worth billion of rupees is being started for the benefit of the common person. He said that target has been fixed to provide potable water to majority of population of Punjab until 2017.
The Chief Minister said that foundation stone of first phase of setting up water filtration plants in four priority Tehsils of South Punjab will soon be laid and this project will be extended to all Tehsils of the province under a phased programme. He directed that completion of the project within timeline should be ensured, as no laxity will be tolerated in this regard. Chief Executive Officer Saaf Pani Company gave a briefing on the project. Provincial Minister for Housing Tanvir Aslam Malik, Chairperson Saaf Pani Company Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, MPA, Secretary Planning & Development, Secretary Housing and other concerned authorities attended the meeting.
