Day: December 30, 2021

Islamabad, December 30, 2021 (PPI-OT):UNDP in collaboration with PILDAT organized a third Consultation Forum on the latest Electoral Reforms currently under debate in the Parliament at Lahore. The objective of the forum was to inform and engage citizens and policymakers to strengthen the electoral processes in Pakistan for free, fair and credible elections.

The Consultation Forum was attended by representatives of five (5) political parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League (PML) and Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JIP).

In his welcome remarks, Mr. Ali Al-Bayati, Chief Technical Advisor UNDP Pakistan, said that UNDP’s project on Strengthening Electoral and Legislative Processes (SELP) works to promote accountability and transparency. He expressed his pleasure upon seeing major political parties of Pakistan as well as civil society, academia and media of Lahore together to discuss electoral reforms for credible, fair and inclusive elections in Pakistan.

The purpose of consultation was to provide a forum to develop coordination among key stakeholders to discuss the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and discuss the clauses to contribute to an inclusive process of law making. In his welcome remarks, Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President PILDAT, described the timeline of The Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2021 said that it proposes a number of electoral reforms that are before the Parliament.

A rigorous process of consultation should have ideally taken place on the bill in the Parliament by inviting citizens’ input. PILDAT and UNDP Pakistan have made an effort to discuss this in order to facilitate informed consultation and contribute towards a consensus on the law. Ms. Aasiya Riaz, Joint Director PILDAT, presented an overview of the key clauses of The Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2021 before the start of the consultation.

Participants from political parties included Mr. Mohsin Leghari, MPA PTI and Provincial Minister for Irrigation, Ms. Musarrat Jamshed, MPA PTI, Mr. Munir Ahmed Khan, PTI, Ms. Seemabia Tahir, MPA PTI, Ms. Uzma Kardar, MPA PTI and Chairperson Standing Committee on Gender Mainstreaming, Ms. Saadia Sohail, MPA PTI, Mr. Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, MPA PML-N, Ms. Bushra Anjum Butt, MPA PML-N, Mr. Iftikhar Ahmed Khan, MPA PML-N, Ms. Hameeda Zaheeruddin, MPA PML-N, Syed Ali Haider Gilani, MPA PPPP, Mr. Rizwan Mumtaz Ali, Advisor PML and Mr. Waqar Nadeem Warraich, JIP.

Representatives from Media and Civil Society included Mr. Salman Ghani, Senior Journalist Dunya News, Mr. Sajjad Mir, Senior Journalist, Mr. Iftikhar Ahmed, Senior Journalist, Mr. Mujib-ur-Rehman Shami, CEO and Editor Daily Pakistan, Dr. Amanullah, Dean, Law College of Punjab, Mr. Waseem Ashraf, USAID Pakistan, Mr. Mubeen Uddin Qazi, Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan, Mr. M. Aslam Nasir, Founder of Pakistan Kissan Ittehad, Dr. M. Younis, Associate Professor, Khawaja Shoaib ul Hassan, Youth President SDD, Ms. Sarah Khan, Communication Specialist, Ms. Mehmal Sarfraz, Co-founder The Current, Ms. Maheen Pracha, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Ms. Farah Zia, Director HRCP, Khawaja Shoaib ul Hassan, Member Seraikistan Democratic Party and Mr. Aagher Nadeem Sahar, Columnist.

For more information, contact:
Communications Analyst
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan
4th Floor, Serena Office Complex,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-8355650
Cell: +92300 535 8225
Fax: +92-51-2655014-15
Email: fatimah.inayet@undp.org
Website: http://www.undp.org.pk

Islamabad, December 30, 2021 (PPI-OT):Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muhammad Ahsan Younas on Wednesday declared the cops as “Ghazi” injured in the line of duty. He also announced to recruit children of those in the police force who got retired after the recommendations of medical board. The capital police chief also pinned honorary badges to some 37 “Ghazis” in a ceremony organized at Police Lines Headquarter.

DIG HQs Sadiq Ali Dogar, AIG Establishment Dr Navid Atif and a large number of journalists attended the ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, IG Islamabad Muhammad Ahsan Younas said that it was indeed an honour for him to accompanying the cops who got injured while performing duties.

“These brave cops shed their blood to protect the life and property of people as well as to maintain law and order situation,” he said adding that a comprehensive system has been made to facilitate the Ghazis. “Even the welfare of the Ghazis will continue after my departure,” he said. IG was of view that the media should appreciate the good deeds of police forces besides criticising the cops over bad performance. “Police force is of public and we should accept it with its good and bad things,” he said.

He said it is his prime responsibility to take care of his force. IG Muhammad Ahsan Younas said that the budged allocated by the government would be utilized as per budget rules. He said that the investigation officers would also be provided funds and the applicants would also be updated in this regard.

“I am making efforts to change Thana Culture and the citizens should visit the police stations with confidence,” he said adding that cops of capital police are on roads for protection of public round the clock. “Islamabad police is a quick respond force,” he said adding that welfare of cops is my responsibility.

For more information, contact:
Islamabad Police
Data centre H-11, Admin Block,
Police Head Quarter, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9258371 Ext (160)
Fax: +92-51-4443180
Email: webmaster@islamabadpolice.gov.pk
Website: https://islamabadpolice.gov.pk

Lahore, December 30, 2021 (PPI-OT):Crackdown has been intensified across the province against manufacturer and seller of fireworks. IG Punjab has directed that strict action be taken against those who manufacture and sell fireworks in the province and raids of police teams in wholesale markets of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Gujranwala and Faisalabad are also underway. In this regard, actions are being taken against law breachers.

Rao Sardar Ali Khan directed that besides cracking down on those involved in breaking the law, a special campaign should also be intensified for awareness of citizens. He said that citizens should make aware of punishments upon one wheeling, aerial firing, hooliganism, fireworks and violation of loudspeaker act so that they themselves and their children can refrain from such violations.

IG Punjab said that awareness banners were also being hung on the main highways of all the cities so that the citizens could celebrate the New Year celebrations in peaceful manner as responsible citizens.

Spokesperson of Punjab Police said that totally 1555 cases were registered against the sellers of incendiary substances and 1690 persons were arrested during the current year. He further said that 2630324 crackers, 8439 firecrackers, 17950 shoreless and 26698 Anar (an incendiary substance) were recovered from possession of arrested persons.

Giving details of each region, Punjab Police Spokesperson said that 158 cases were registered in Lahore and 184 accused were arrested while 23 cases were registered and 37 accused were arrested in Sheikhupura region. In Gujranwala region 63 cases were registered and 76 accused were arrested while in Rawalpindi region 257 cases were registered and 330 accused were arrested.

Spokesperson of Punjab Police further said that 54 cases were registered in Sargodha region and 87 accused were arrested. Similarly, 297 cases were registered in Faisalabad region and 425 accused were arrested. In DG Khan Region 337 cases were registered and 55 accused were arrested while in Bahawalpur region 67 cases were registered and 92 accused were arrested. Spokesperson of Punjab Police requested the citizens to report the manufacture and sale of fireworks on 15 so that no one could escape strict action of the Police.

For more information, contact:
Punjab Police
Punjab Police Computer Bureau,
5th Floor, Central Police Office (CPO),
Punjab, Lahore
Tel: +92-42-99213019, +92-42-99213013
Fax: +92-42-99213012
Email: sapcb@punjabpolice.gov.pk
Website: www.punjabpolice.gov.pk

Lahore, December 30, 2021 (PPI-OT):Inspector General of Police Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan has said that education, health and welfare of children of police personnel is top priority of department and steps will be taken in using all available resources. IG Punjab directed Additional IG Welfare to formulate a comprehensive package for police martyrs, widows and other employees suffering from other problems. Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that relief should be provided to junior rank employees and personnel with respect to administrative, financial and personal issues on priority basis.

He said that special financial support should be provided for scholarships of children of employees and marriages of their daughters. All possible welfare measures will be taken for the employees who died during the service and for the children of the martyrs. Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that all the cases of financial assistance including pension of retired employees should be dealt with on priority basis and the officers who caused delay in official proceedings should be held accountable.

IG Punjab said that the officers and personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty to protect the lives and property of the people are valuable assets of the department therefore, all RPOs and DPOs should solve problems of welfare of employees under their supervision. He gave these instructions while presiding over a high-level meeting on welfare of the police force at the Central Police Office here today.

Talking to the officers, IG Punjab said that the constables and other staff on duty in the field are the real face of Punjab Police whose proper welfare would lead to improvement in their performance. He directed that all possible steps should be taken for the treatment of sick police personnel and planning for setting up of Police Welfare Hospitals should be completed at the soonest.

Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that the provision of medical facilities would alleviate problems faced by force and their families and they would be able to go beyond unnecessary hassles and focus on protection of life and property of people and fulfilment of professional duties.

IG Punjab directed Additional IG Welfare that all the funds allocated for welfare of force should be spent on care of personnel especially the junior rank employees and detailed reports of welfare measures should be sent to the Central Police Office on monthly basis. Additional IG Welfare and Finance and heads of other branches were also present in the meeting.

For more information, contact:
Punjab Police
Punjab Police Computer Bureau,
5th Floor, Central Police Office (CPO),
Punjab, Lahore
Tel: +92-42-99213019, +92-42-99213013
Fax: +92-42-99213012
Email: sapcb@punjabpolice.gov.pk
Website: www.punjabpolice.gov.pk

Lahore, December 30, 2021 (PPI-OT):Inspector General of Police Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan has taken notice on incident of illegal detention of a citizen in Muridwala area of Faisalabad and sought a report from RPO Faisalabad. IG Punjab has ordered to register a case against SHO Muridwala for illegal detention of a citizen. Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that strict legal action should be taken after investigating all aspects of the incident. According to details, CPO Faisalabad had suspended SHO Muridwala yesterday after receiving information about the incident.

IG Punjab directed that violation of powers and illegal detention is not acceptable in any case and immediate action should be taken against those responsible for such incidents. He further said that black sheep have no place in Punjab police as these negative elements tarnish the image of entire force by their activities. IG Punjab said that no officer or official involved in such incidents would be allowed to remain a part of the police force.

For more information, contact:
Punjab Police
Punjab Police Computer Bureau,
5th Floor, Central Police Office (CPO),
Punjab, Lahore
Tel: +92-42-99213019, +92-42-99213013
Fax: +92-42-99213012
Email: sapcb@punjabpolice.gov.pk
Website: www.punjabpolice.gov.pk

Lahore, December 30, 2021 (PPI-OT):Inspector General of Police Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan has taken notice on incident of finding the dead body of a 7-year-old boy in a sack in Ayman Abad area of Gujranwala and sought a report of the incident from RPO Gujranwala.

IG Punjab directed CPO Gujranwala to conduct post-mortem examination of the child’s body on scientific basis and to trace and arrest the ruthless accused involved in the abduction and murder of the child forthwith. IG Punjab directed that an investigation be carried out keeping in view every aspect of the incident. He said that cruel individuals who kill innocent children do not deserve any sympathy.

He further directed CPO Gujranwala to investigate the incident under his supervision and arrest the culprits as soon as possible and get them sentenced severely. Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that close contact should be maintained with the family of the slain child and they should be provided justice without delay.

For more information, contact:
Punjab Police
Punjab Police Computer Bureau,
5th Floor, Central Police Office (CPO),
Punjab, Lahore
Tel: +92-42-99213019, +92-42-99213013
Fax: +92-42-99213012
Email: sapcb@punjabpolice.gov.pk
Website: www.punjabpolice.gov.pk