Police officials’ corruption and mistreatment with citizens intolerable: IGP
Lahore: Inspector General of Police Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan has said that the traffic police personnel performing duties on roads and highways are the face of the Punjab Police who represent the police department in public through their words, deeds, conduct and service delivery. Officers and personnel should work harder, diligently than before because the eyes of the people and modern cameras are constantly monitoring your performance and behavior. He further said that I have already made it clear that corruption and mistreatment with citizens is intolerable and those responsible for such activities have no place in Police department. IGP reiterated that making issuance of driving license more transparent based upon modern technology to facilitate citizens is one of the top priorities of the department. IGP directed to archive video recording of driving and computerized test keeping in view the SOPs for issuance of driving licence. He further said that efficient use of modern technology in traffic management and prevention of accidents is an important need of the hour. Therefore, safe city cameras should be benefited for smooth flow of traffic alongwith E- Challaning so that citizens may be saved from traffic block. Mr. Rao further directed to launch awareness campaign on traffic rules among the citizens. In this regard awareness lectures, seminars should be organized in educational institutions public places. He expressed these views while giving instructions to the officers during a meeting of traffic police at Central Police Office here today.
During the meeting, DIG Traffic Punjab, Sohail Akhtar Sukhera, briefed the IG Punjab and said that a special drive is being carried out in all the districts of the province to prevent over loading and abiding by traffic rules to prevent accidents. While registering 217 cases, 437 vehicles have been impounded in different police stations and 211 drivers have also been arrested. He apprised the IGP that in view of the dangers of smog, actions are also being taken against high-emission vehicles across the province five special vigilance teams have been formed to make the process of issuance of driving licenses more transparent and ensure implementation of SOPs by making surprise visits to traffic branches. These vigilance teams shall also send recommendations to authority for strict departmental actions against officers and officials involved in misconduct. Appreciating the actions of Punjab Traffic Police against overloading, IG Punjab said that one of the major causes of accidents and obstruction of smooth flow of traffic on roads is overloading against which actions should be expedited. He further said that delay in registration of accident cases is not acceptable and data of traffic accidents should be updated across province. IGP emphasized upon close coordination and data sharing with Rescue 1122 in this regard. He further said that officers, personnel and traffic wardens who are doing good work should be encouraged at all levels and strict departmental action against, corrupt and ineligible should not be delayed. Additional IG Operations Sahibzada Shehzad Sultan, Additional IG Welfare and Finance Farooq Mazhar and DIG Traffic Punjab Sohail Akhtar Sukhera and other officers were also present on this occasion.
