Terrorism to persist till justice sold: Shahbaz

RAWALPINDI: The Punjab chief minister said on Monday that terrorism would continue unabated till justice was sold and oppression and coercion continued at police stations.
Eulogising the role of Pakistan Army and police in eliminating terrorism, he said that terrorism could only be dealt with a stern approach.Addressing the passing-out parade of police officers at the Sihala Police College, Islamabad, Shahbaz Sharif said that set goals were being achieved in the Operation Zarb-e-Azb and bullet was the only way to tackle terrorism.
He said that a harsh approach was imperative to overcome the existing thana culture and the goal towards development could be achieved only if the sale of justice in Katcheries was appropriately curbed. He termed it a happy augury that the process of overpowering the Thana culture and reforming police, which were initiated back in 1998, were moving ahead at a high pace.
He said the government had been striving to bring about changes in the system in accordance with the aspirations of the common man who wanted to see restoration of merit by terminating the culture of sifarish and dispensation of justice was done at the grassroot level in letter and spirit.
Restoration of proper policing and dispensation of justice to the common man in the Punjab is our top priority, the chief minister said.The chief minister said that efforts of police in Rahim Yar Khan to deal with dacoits in a highly professional manner were appreciable and expressed the hope that they would continue their services with the same spirit in future as well.
Inspector General of Police Punjab Ch Mushtaq Sukhera on the occasion said the Police College, to equip the graduates according to the future needs, had designed its curriculum on the basis of continuous professional development programme. He stressed the force that they should dispense their duties with utmost honesty and dedication.
In his address of welcome, Commandant Police College, DIG Muhammad Zulfiqar Khan, said the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) had carried out appointments of Sub Inspectors (SIs) on merit. He said the 408 passing-out SIs included 76 women SIs.
While giving details about the educational qualification of the newly inducted SIs he said they included one PhD, 31 engineers, 34 law graduates, 17 MBAs, 35 MSc, 22 M Phil and 48 MA. He said the rest were graduates.
A number of senior serving and retired police officers, families of the probationers attended the parade which in the end was reviewed by the chief minister who appreciated efforts of the staff and faculty of the Police College for imparting skillful and modern training.