Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi on Thursday paid a rich tribute to police martyrs on Police Martyrs Day.
He met with the families of police martyrs at the Police Lines and expressed solidarity with them. They took selfies with Elahi who also invited them to lunch.
While addressing the gathering, the CM recalled that he had visited the Police Lines 18 years ago. “The announcements made by me for the police welfare at that time were not implemented by Shehbaz Sharif,” he regretted.
The chief minister announced a four-time increase in the pensions of martyrs’ families and added that their children will be provided with an opportunity to study free of cost in elite institutions.
Similarly, the risk allowance will be given to all officials, he said and disclosed that a separate package will be devised for policewomen. “A follow-up meeting has been called next week for implementing the announcements made by me,” he mentioned.
The burden on the families of the martyrs during the Eid festivities cannot be estimated; therefore, they will be given a special cash package on Eid, he further announced. “I feel the pain of these families and will not allow any reduction in resources for them,” he said and concluded that police should also strive to improve the institutional prestige. The IGP and martyrs’ children also spoke on this occasion and prayers were offered for police and army martyrs of the helicopter crash.
Talking to the media, the CM said that the pension of martyrs’ families will be quadrupled. He also announced restoring the police’s risk allowance along with the provision of arrears to all police officials from constables to the IGP. “The allowance will be restored from the time I announced it,” he said and regretted that injustice was committed with traffic wardens as they were given one uniform. “I will give seven uniforms to traffic wardens and their allowance will also be restored,” he announced.
The CM maintained that the work of traffic police is not only to issue challans but to improve traffic discipline. As many as 150 patrolling police posts are being restored across Punjab and new transport will also be provided to patrolling police, he disclosed and stated that police hospitals will be improved to give free medicines.
Elahi maintained that police reforms were not done by arranging a huddle of retired IGPs as this is just an eye-wash. Composite police reforms are being done and the people will see the results soon. Meanwhile, the police uniform will also be improved and IG has been asked to work on it on an emergency basis, he said and made it clear that hurdles will be removed.
Moreover, the chief minister said legislation was being made to improve the mechanism of registration of FIRs. He further said that early trial will be ensured in rape cases and plaintiffs will need not to go anywhere for justice. Justice will be ensured at police stations and the “panchayat” system is also being reactivated to resolve issues at the grassroots. “The common man is the focus of our work,” he concluded.
Separately, the chief minister congratulated Pakistani weightlifter Muhammad Nooh Dastgir Butt on winning the first gold medal for Pakistan at the Commonwealth Games.
In a statement, the CM said that Dastgir has raised the flag of Pakistan by winning the gold medal. The nation is proud of him, he added. “Dastgir earned this honour with hard work and professionalism,” he remarked.
