By Mustafa Ali
Lahore:An important meeting was held at the Central Police Office under the chairmanship of Inspector General of Police Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar following the approval of the Crime Control Department (CCD) Ordinance.
The meeting was attended by Additional IG CCD Sohail Zafar Chattha, Additional IG Welfare and Finance, DIG Operations Punjab, DIG Headquarters, DIGs Establishment I & II, relevant DIGs, SSPs, and senior officers. CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana, Additional IG South Punjab, RPOs, CPOs, and DPOs joined via video link.
Punjab Police spokesperson said that IG Punjab reviewed the steps being taken to activate the CCD following the ordinance approval. Discussions were held on human resources, logistics, terms of reference (TORs), and administrative matters for the working of the department.
Additional IG CCD Sohail Zafar Chattha gave a detailed briefing on the department’s objectives and goals post-approval. He said that highly professional and experienced crime-fighter officers have been selected for the CCD, and in line with the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the department will target criminals involved in heinous crimes.
IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar said that while the CCD faces significant challenges, he is fully hopeful for its success. RPOs and DPOs are initially providing the required human resources, offices, transport, and logistics to CCD. Funds have been approved, and the recruitment process for 4,000 personnel is also underway in phases.
The procurement process for transport, furniture, and logistics for CCD will begin soon. Buildings for CCD police stations are also being identified. The CCD will be supported by a detailed criminal database, surveillance and monitoring systems, advanced locators, and IT technology. Officers are expected to demonstrate strong capabilities and deliver prompt, positive results.
Punjab Police spokesperson further said that CCD will be responsible for ensuring the arrest and conviction of major drug dealers and dangerous criminals, elimination of no-go areas, and security of sensitive events. The targets also include the arrest of suspects involved in kidnapping for ransom, extortion, robbery, robbery-murders, and robbery-rapes. Vehicle theft, land mafia control, inter-provincial gangs, and coordination with other districts for crime suppression are also part of its duties. IG Punjab emphasized that all police units must further enhance coordination to meet major challenges such as terrorism, unrest, law and order, and crime eradication faced by Punjab Police.
