IGP's late arrival at open forum disappoints complainants.

RAWALPINDI -- The late arrival of the Punjab inspector general of police (IGP) at a meeting to hear public complaints caused disappointment among the citizens here on Friday.

It was the first visit of IGP Mohammad Amir Zulfiqar Khan to the garrison city where he was supposed to hold the public meeting at 12:30pm, according to the police media wing. However, he turned up at the venue at about 2:30pm. The IGP spent a busy day in the city and expressed displeasure over the crime situation in the Rawalpindi region and directed the officers to improve their performance by taking timely action against criminal elements.

The IGP directed that daily targeted operations against drug peddling, gambling and other criminal activities should be conducted in order to strengthen public safety.

He also directed to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to eliminate street crime, especially gangs involved in car and motorcycle theft and snatching. The number of vehicle theft and snatching cases registered in 2022 in Rawalpindi speaks volume about the performance of the police, as 533 cars were stolen and 40 snatched at gunpoint last year compared to 504 cars stolen and 26 snatched in 2021, according to the police statistics.

According to the police, 5,270 motorcycles were stolen and 386 snatched at gunpoint last year while 4,283 motorcycles were stolen and 208 snatched in 2021.

The district police officer (DPO) of Murree was directed by the IGP to make necessary preparations to assist tourists during the snowy season besides going out in the field to assess services being offered to citizens.

He also ordered that strict action should be taken against police officials found accepting bribes from hotels and harassing tourists.

He reiterated that delay in registration of FIRs will not be tolerated under any circumstances. IGP Khan directed that police teams in plainclothes should be deployed in sensitive places, busy bazaars and markets...