‘Checks and balances to improve governance’

LAHORE :Punjab Chief Secretary Major (r) Azam Suleman Khan on Tuesday said that system of checks and balances would have to be strengthened to ensure good governance.

He stated this while chairing a meeting of civil and police officers of Lahore division at Civil Secretariat.

The chief secretary (CS) said that officers should work without any fear, focusing on public service delivery. He added that officers would be given a free hand but they would be held accountable.

He said that performance would be reviewed on a monthly basis and those who failed to deliver would be removed from their posts. “There would be no tenure protection in case of poor performance,” he maintained.

He asked the officers to work jointly. He stated the deputy commissioners and district police officers should hold joint open courts, besides conducting field visits of tehsils twice a week.

He directed the officials to deal the elected representative politely and get their feedback to solve the problems of people. The CS also issued instructions to the officers concerned regarding cleanliness, traffic arrangements and tree plantation in districts. He ordered that the campaign against encroachments and drug abuse be expedited and stern action be taken against land grabbers. He directed that concrete steps be taken to stop narcotics use especially in the educational institutes. He also directed the officers to strictly implement the open door policy and the display time fixed for meeting general public in offices.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police, Punjab, Shoaib Dastgir ordered police officers to improve security arrangements in districts. The resources of police must be used to prevent crime and stern action would be taken over misuse of the official resources, he warned. The meeting was attended by the additional chief secretary, additional chief secretary (Home), CTD additional IG, Special Branch additional IG, Lahore CCPO, Sheikhupura RPO, deputy commissioners, district police officers, assistant commissioners and DSPs of Lahore and Sheikhupura.

crackdown: On the directions of Inspector General of Police, Punjab, Shoaib Dastgir, a massive crackdown has been launched on the anti-social elements and criminals across the province.

Search and intelligence-based operations have also been started besides improving the security of sensitive places, religious places, educational institutions and public places in all districts of the province.

The IG has also sought reports from all the RPOs and DPOs on the police actions against criminals. Okara District Police Officer Umar Saeed Malik while giving one month’s progress report of the district police said actions against proclaimed offenders, drugs peddlers and illegal arms users were speeded up.

Oath-taking: An oath-taking ceremony of the Library Society of Government College University (GCU) was held at the university’s Fazl-e-Hussain Reading Room on Tuesday.

The ceremony was chaired by Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Special Secretary Ms Silwat Saeed. Faculty of Languages, Islamic and Oriental Learning Dean Prof Dr Sultan Shah also addressed the event.