LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high-level meeting here on Tuesday to review crime, law and order situation and police efficiency. The meeting was attended by Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Home Secretary, Inspector General of Police and senior officers concerned. The CM said elimination of crimes and protection of life and property of citizens was the prime responsibility of police and it should spare no effort for this purpose. He was of the view that despite provision of all facilities, the image of police among the masses cannot be described as satisfactory. He said that police officials should serve the people with commitment and ensure prompt justice to the common man. He said rule of law should be ensured, but torture of innocent citizens would not be tolerated. A system of merit and strict accountability should be adopted in the police department and efficiency of the officials should be the criteria for their promotion, he said, adding that contrary to the past, the present government had checked political interference in the police department and promoted merit. Honest and hard working regional and district police officers have been posted, and there should be a visible change in the police behaviour with the common man and the problems of the people should be immediately resolved, he said. Shahbaz Sharif further said police should keep in mind that they would have to perform their responsibilities with commitment and hard work and come up to the expectations of the people. He told the meeting that he wanted result and there was a need for adopting short, medium and long term measures for improving police efficiency. He also constituted a special committee, to be headed by Chief Secretary, for proposing short-term measures for improving police performance. The committee will submit its recommendations within three days in the next meeting while keeping in view all aspects in this regard. The Chief Secretary and IGP gave a detailed briefing regarding overall law and order situation in the province. IG Police informed the meeting about the pace of investigation into the recent incidents occurred in the province.