Punjab Police’s Gujranwala division faces media communication gaps

GUJRANWALA: Punjab Police’s Gujranwala division has a public relations setup in place, but journalists covering the region say the system is failing at the most basic task providing timely and accessible official information.

Journalists covering police affairs across Gujranwala division say contacting the concerned PRO for the police version of an incident has become a frustrating exercise, with calls and messages frequently going unanswered.

The problem becomes more serious when reporters are working on developing stories involving arrests, FIRs, police encounters, alleged misconduct or other sensitive matters where the police version is essential before publication.

According to journalists, the issue is not simply about the availability of press releases. The police communication mechanism largely revolves around a WhatsApp group where official information is circulated, but there is little effective two-way communication when journalists need clarification or an immediate response.

“Information is posted in the group, but when a journalist needs to ask a question or verify an incident, getting a response is often difficult,” said a journalist covering police affairs in the division.

Another journalist said the communication gap had become particularly noticeable during breaking incidents, when reporters need the official version within minutes rather than hours.

The frequent changes of PRO officials have further complicated the situation, journalists say. According to them, PROs are changed so frequently that journalists are often left uncertain about whom to approach for official comments.
“By the time a working relationship develops with one PRO, another officer is assigned the responsibility,” a journalist said.

The situation raises questions about the effectiveness of the PRO system itself. A police public relations officer is not merely responsible for forwarding press releases; the position also serves as a communication bridge between the police department and the media.

When that bridge fails to function, journalists can be left with incomplete information while the police department risks losing an opportunity to present its official position.

The problem is particularly important in a region where police operations regularly generate public interest. Arrests, encounters, recoveries, FIRs and allegations against police personnel all require timely verification and an official response.

Journalists say the regional police command should establish a stable and clearly accessible media contact mechanism instead of relying primarily on a WhatsApp group for communication.

The Punjab Police authorities and senior officers of Gujranwala division should also review the frequent changes in PRO assignments and assess whether the existing arrangement is delivering the level of media coordination expected from a major regional police formation.

Without timely communication, the PRO system risks becoming a one-way information desk rather than the professional media liaison mechanism it is supposed to be.