Abdul Kareem Announces Zero Tolerance for Corruption, Reviews Reform Targets Set by Maryam Nawaz Sharif

By Dr Ansab Ali | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: Inspector General of Police Punjab, Abdul Kareem, has reiterated a strict zero-tolerance policy against corruption, abuse of authority, and misconduct within the police force, stating that no officer or official will be granted any concession in cases of wrongdoing.
He was chairing a high-level meeting at the Central Police Office to review progress on police reform targets set by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Senior officers briefed the IG on the implementation of short-, medium-, and long-term reform metrics outlined by the Chief Minister. The IG directed that the dignity and respect of citizens visiting police stations, front desks, Khidmat Marakaz, and other police workplaces must be ensured at all costs.
He instructed Regional Police Officers (RPOs) and District Police Officers (DPOs) to make daily calls to citizens to gather feedback on police conduct and take necessary action accordingly. Strict action, he said, would be taken against officers responsible for unjustified delays in FIR registration, poor investigations, and misconduct.
The IG Punjab also directed that panic buttons be installed outside police stations at the earliest and that personnel performing duties on roads and at workplaces be equipped with body cameras. He emphasized the continuation of training sessions aimed at improving the mental and physical grooming, professionalism, and behavior of police personnel.
The meeting called for immediate steps to further strengthen the supervisory role of Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs). The IG stated that SDPOs must mandatorily reach crime scenes and ensure the protection of forensic evidence under all circumstances.
Additionally, he ordered that the ongoing crackdown against traffic law violations be intensified to ensure better enforcement across the province.
The meeting was attended by the Additional IG Investigation, Additional IG Operations, Additional IG Logistics, the Managing Director of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, DIG Traffic, DIG IAB, DIG Technical Procurement, DIG Welfare, and other senior officers. RPO Sargodha Dr. Shahzad Asif participated in the meeting via video link.