Investors’ security, govt’s top priority: minister

LAHORE: Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said that promoting economic activities depends on ensuring the safety and security of citizens and investors, which is a top

priority for the Punjab government. He stated that combating inflation required boosting business activities and reducing unemployment.

He expressed these views while addressing the certificate distribution ceremony organised by the Punjab Home Department at the Darbar Hall of the Civil Secretariat on Saturday.

During the ceremony, the certificates were awarded to 74 officers of the Punjab Probation and Parole Services and 12 interns who completed a one-month special training course. The shields were awarded to the top position holders.

The officers were from various district offices in Punjab, while the interns included students from the departments of Sociology and Psychology from Government College University, Punjab University, Lahore College for Women University, and other universities across Punjab.

The provincial minister, in his address, emphasised that the purpose of this special training programme was to reform the criminal mindset of prisoners through effective counseling, help them become productive citizens, control crime, and ensure law and order. He urged the officers to leverage this training to enhance their performance and approach the counseling of parole candidates as a national service. He further highlighted that maintaining law and order would lead to increased investment, economic growth, and poverty alleviation in the province.

The finance minister expressed his hope that the trained officers and students would contribute positively to the betterment and rehabilitation of

society.

He strongly supported the upgradation of probation and parole officers to Grade 17 and assured that he would recommend a special allowance for these officers, akin to the benefits provided to the Prisons Department.

Special Secretary Home Punjab Fazal Rehman highlighted that Probation and Parole Services are a crucial component of the criminal justice system. He stated that the Department of Home Affairs Punjab is committed to modernising these services. Director General Probation and Parole Services M Shahid Iqbal informed the attendees that this was the first time probation and parole officers in Punjab had been provided with such training opportunities.

He added that LUMS University and the National School of Public Policy had offered their expertise for the training, and there are plans to offer both

national and international training opportunities in the future.

Additional IG Prisons Dr Qadeer Alam, Prof Hussain Haider, and Advocate Moazzam Ali Shah were also present at the ceremony.

Officers Ayesha Allah Ditta and Naeem Ghafoor from Lahore secured the first and third positions, respectively, while M Atif Ali from Pakpattan secured the second position.

At the conclusion of the event, the DG Punjab Probation and Parole Services presented an honorary shield to provincial

minister.