LAHORE - Presiding over a meeting on Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif gave approval to the implementation of a comprehensive plan for modernising Special Branch as well as to activate its human resource and technical wings.
Passing direction for speedy work on the reorganisation and modernisation of Special Branch, the chief minister directed that short and medium term strategies be devised for this purpose.
Informing the meeting that Special Protection Force is being constituted for the safety of foreign nationals, the Chief Minister directed that the process of new recruitment to the Special Protection Force should be completed in a transparent manner and expeditiously.
The chief minister also gave approval to fresh recruitments in the Special Branch and announced a package of special incentives for the officers and staff of the Branch who perform up to the mark and show efficiency. He directed the concerned authorities to prepare within 10 days recommendations on the performance-based incentives package.
He further directed that due attention should be paid to the training of the officers and staff of the Special Branch for their capacity-building and refresher courses be arranged for this purpose. He said that intelligence school will be harmonized with the modern demands.
The meeting reviewed overall law and order situation, security arrangements, implementation of National Action Plan against terrorism, reorganization of Special Branch, setting up of Special Protection Force as well as steps taken for benefitting from information technology for improving intelligence system.
The meeting decided that the newly recruited officers and personnel of Special Branch will not be transferred to any other place.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that that all out measures are being adopted for the protection of life and property of citizens and all concerned departments are working with close coordination for the implementation of National Action Plan. He said that there was no room for terrorists in Pakistan and the promise to give a safe and peaceful country to the future generations would be fulfilled at any cost.
The Chief Minister issued instructions for improving security arrangements at important places throughout the province and said that there is a need for hard work and commitment for foiling the nefarious designs of the enemies of the country. He said that a watchful eye should be kept on anti-social elements.
He said that the Punjab Information Technology Board had evolved crime intelligence system which would help in keeping a vigilant eye and curbing anti-social elements through the use of modern technology.
Shahbaz Sharif congratulated the Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board on evolving crime intelligence system and lauded his efficiency. MPA Rana Sanaullah, Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Special Assistant Rana Maqbool Ahmad, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police, Secretary Home, concerned secretaries and senior officers of law enforcement agencies were present in the meeting.