LAHORE - Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that it has been decided to set up Dolphin police unit in Punjab on the pattern of Dolphin Unit of Turkey.
“High standard, merit and ability will be kept in view for the selection of officials for Dolphin Unit,” he told a delegation of National Police of Turkey.
Matters relating to setting up of Dolphin Unit and Integrated Command and Control Centre Project were discussed during the meeting.
The new force is supposed to deliver in a province where performance of the existing plethora of law enforcement agencies has been highly disappointing.
The ruling PML-N government had established Elite Force, Muhafiz Squad and other such units in the past for a better law enforcement, but they all became part of the highly corrupt and inefficient system over time. And, time will decide the fate of the Dolphins as well.
The CM told the meeting that historic and cultural relations exist between Pakistan and Turkey. He said that friendly ties between both the countries have changed to economic relations. He said that the hearts of Pakistani and Turkish people beat together and people of both the countries are tied with deep brotherly bonds.
The Chief Minister said that the recent visit of Turkish Police delegation to Lahore reflects the increasing relations between the two countries. He said that a team of Dolphin Unit will consist of four police officials and Turkish Police experts will impart training to Dolphin Unit.
He said that in the first phase, Dolphin Unit will formally start work at the end of current year. Shahbaz Sharif said that Turk Police experts will also prepare master trainers for the training of officials of Dolphin Unit.
He said that the Integrated Command and Control Centre Project in Lahore will be completed on the pattern of Command and Control Centre of Istanbul and modern equipments will be installed in this centre. He said that command and control centre will be linked with CCTV cameras installed in the city. The Chief Minister said that initially 1800 places have been selected for installing cameras in Lahore. He said that cooperation of Turk Police experts for this centre is commendable. He said that command and control centre project will be completed during the current year. He thanked Turk government, leadership and police officials for extending cooperation in various projects in Pakistan particularly Punjab.  The head of visiting delegation Dr Mustafa Ozguler speaking on the occasion said that they are pleased to work with the Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and his team.  He assured that every possible cooperation will be extended to Punjab government for command and control project and setting up Dolphin Unit.