RAWALPINDI: The inspector general of Punjab police (IGP), retired Capt Usman Khattak, has expressed concern over the crime rate in Rawalpindi, and has issued directives to the regional and city police officers to improve their performance.

The IGP voiced his concerns during a law and order meeting with Punjab’s regional police officers (RPO) on April 25, which he chaired through video link.

While discussing the crime rate in Rawalpindi, the IGP directed the additional inspector general of police (AIG) (operations) to issue directives to the Rawalpindi RPO and city police officer (CPO) over poor performance. He pointed out the Rawalpindi RPO and CPO that murders during robberies had risen from three to eight, as compared to March last year, while robberies had increased from 81 to 93.

He also told the meeting that there had been an increase in car and jeep thefts from 156 to 173 compared to last year, while motorcycle thefts rose to 161 from 160. Incidents of street crime rose from 13 to 30, while cattle theft rose from 27 to 30.

The IGP directed the RPO and CPO to ensure foolproof security at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in light of recent terror threats, and to do their best to arrest criminals.

The IGP also directed the Lahore capital city police officer to focus on convictions of suspects arrested under new laws that are a part of the NAP, such as the sound system ordinance, the arms ordinance and the maintenance of public order. He directed district police officers (DPO) to meet with their respective sessions judges to dispose of cases registered under the new laws.

He was also concerned by the rise in crime in Multan, but praised the police’s arrest of proclaimed offenders and directed that meetings be held every month to hand recovered vehicles over to their owners.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the number of proclaimed offenders arrested by the Sheikhupura police and the rise in cattle theft. Mr Khattak also noted the increase in blasphemy and vehicle theft cases in Sargodha and sought explanations from the Sargodha RPO.

He praised the performance of the Sahiwal police in arresting proclaimed offenders, but criticised the increase in robberies and motorcycle thefts.

He also expressed concern over the rise in robberies in Muzaffargarh and motorcycle thefts in D.G. Khan.

The Faisalabad RPO was also directed to hold monthly meetings to hand over recovered vehicles, and to verify crime figures and action taken under the arms ordinance that the IGP was not satisfied with.

The AIG investigation also directed DPOs to personally monitor the working of newly established crime scene units, and said these units were not visiting crime scenes. DPOs were also directed to monitor homicide units and to ensure that samples in narcotics cases are sent to laboratories within 48 hours. Evidence in rape cases should also be sent to the concerned authorities within the time limit.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2017