Maryam okays funds to equip police with latest technology

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday attended a passing-out parade ceremony at the Elite Training Centre Baidian, wearing Elite Force uniform.

The Hamza Company and the Ayesha Company of Elite Force commandos presented a general salute and the passed-out cadets gave professional training demonstrations. Maryam appreciated the professional abilities of female commandos. She inspected the parade on a jeep and distributed prizes among the commandos for showing exemplary performance in their training. She announced cash prizes for those showing excellent performance. She had a practical examination of MP5SSR, POFI, NVG guns. She met female commandos and had photographs with them.

Addressing the ceremony, she said: “I am feeling the same amount of rejoice that you are feeling by participating in the passing-out parade by wearing Elite Force uniform. It was a highly-challenging six-months training. As many as 800 cadets got successful, including 70 women. I felt greatly encouraged by witnessing patriotism on your faces. The Elite Force is a sapling planted by Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif in which 17,000 police personnel got training from this centre so far. I have come to express solidarity with you by wearing the Elite Force uniform. You are a few fortunate sons and daughters of the nation, who have been selected to wear this uniform. I especially commend women for passing out from this centre. When I see a martyr, I think about the spirit of martyrdom for which people present their sons to sacrifice their lives for their dear homeland. I salute the spirit of martyrdom. As many as 85 Elite Force sepoys embraced martyrdom and I pay tribute to the martyrs of all forces.”

“The Holy Qur’an says a martyr is alive and there are few fortunate people who are blessed with a life even after their death. The IG Police is a very dynamic officer and I appreciate the changes he is bringing in the police force. I am fully backing the police force and will provide all facilities and technology to them. All resources will be utilized to enhance abilities of the police force. Police check-posts are being attacked on the Punjab border and cops are bravely fighting criminals. I have directed the IG Police to acquire latest security equipment. The life of every son and daughter is dear to me. We have provided eight latest thermal imaging cameras to counter terrorists. We fulfil all promises made with the people of Pakistan. Whenever you find any difficulty, always remember the words of your oath. I want to see a change with the induction of young police personnel in the police force. You should redress the grievances of the oppressed whenever they come to you and you have to stand with justice. The time is not far when we will remove the stigmas on the police force and people will sleep peacefully in their houses. May Allah Almighty help us in the excellent performance of our duties. May Allah Almighty be our guide and benefactor,” she said.

Provincial Minister for Information Azma Zahid Bokhari, MPA Sania Ashiq, Special Assistant Zeeshan Malik, the IG Police and other police officers were present.

Meeting: Maryam Nawaz chaired a meeting on law and order at the Elite Police Force Headquarters’ Committee Room, in which issues related to the enforcement of law and order in the province were discussed. Progress on measures to improve policing, prosecution and digital monitoring were reviewed.

Maryam directed the authorities concerned to take effective measures to address incidents of gang-rape, child abuse and violence against domestic workers. She reviewed a proposal to increase punishment for rape from 10 to 15 years. She gave approval to release funds to equip the police force with quadcopter drones and other latest technologies.

Earlier, the IGP gave a briefing on the law and order situation in the province. He submitted to the chief minister a report on all police officers. She was apprised: “Cybercrime investigation training for police has been completed, whereas police personnel are being trained to access modern technology.”

Senator Pervez Rashid, Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Information & Culture Minister Azma Zahid Bokhari and MPA Sania Ashiq attended the meeting. Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, IG Punjab, Additional IG and other relevant officers were also in attendance.

Congratulations: “The Punjab government is taking all possible measures for the welfare of journalists,” said Maryam Nawaz while congratulating the newly-elected office-holders of the Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND). She felicitated its President Azhar Abbas, Senior Vice President Ayaz Khan, Vice President Muhammad Usman, Secretary General Tariq Mehmood and other office-holders. She said: “Media plays an important role in awakening the collective public consciousness. It is hoped that the newly-elected officials will play their role in highlighting social problems within the limits of democratic norms.”

Transport fares: “The benefit of reduction in the price of petroleum products should be delivered to people,” said Maryam Nawaz while chairing a meeting on issues related to the Transport Department. She directed the administration to ensure strict implementation of reduction in fares. She said: “Transport fares affect the prices of all other commodities, including food items. We will give relief to people by reducing transport fares.” She sought a 5-year plan for end-to-end transport across Lahore. She directed engaging the best international consultants for running Purple and Blue Line Trains in Lahore.

Earlier, a briefing was given to her about 630 eco-friendly buses for the province. It was said that 200 eco-friendly diesel hybrid buses were being brought to Lahore. Additionally, 100 electric buses will be operated in Lahore as a pilot project. She was apprised: “100 eco-friendly buses are being brought for Multan, 78 for Rawalpindi, 42 for Bahawalpur and 110 for Faisalabad.” Transport Secretary Ahmed Javed Qazi gave a briefing on the Bikes for Students Project. He told that scrutiny was in process after completing the e-balloting process for the bikes under the Chief Minister Youth Initiative.

Information & Culture Minister Azma Zahid Bokhari, Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan, Chief Secretary, Secretary Transport, Secretary Higher Education, Commissioner Lahore, DG LDA and other officers attended the meeting.