LAHORE   -    Inspector General of Police Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan on Thursday reiterated that securing the future of youth by eradicating drugs from the society was one of the top priorities of the Punjab police. Presiding over a meeting held at the Central Police Office to curb drug use, sale and purchase, he stressed on jacking up massive crackdown against criminals of this nefarious business and assigned a task to Lahore police for making provincial capital drug free city by formulating a plan of action with mutual cooperation of the district administration, health department, social welfare and other departments concerned. Sardar directed that concrete steps be taken to relocate and rehabilitate the drug addicts spotted on streets, roads and sidewalks of the city, whereas intelligence-based action should also be taken against the drug supply network. He ordered expediting crackdown on those involved in sale and purchase of modern drugs, ice (meth), sheesha and other drugs.

 in Lahore and other cities. He stressed upon running an awareness campaign with the cooperation of civil society in hostels, educational institutions and other public places. Sardar asked the DPOs of all the districts to take stern action against the elements involved in heinous drug menace. He said that all the departments had to work together to save the youth from the scourge of drugs and close coordination with other law enforcers and effective follow up should be ensured. The meeting was briefed that this year Punjab police had registered 16,966 cases of drugs in the province while 17,230 persons were arrested. Similarly, 2487 cases had been registered in Lahore this year while 2505 people were arrested.

IGP FOR PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO DEAL WITH POSSIBLE FLOODS

Inspector General of Punjab Police Rao Sardar Ali Khan on Thursday asked the police teams to take precautionary measures following incessant rains and possible floods in the riverine districts of the province. He directed all the supervisory officers of the province to take steps under a comprehensive strategy for protection of precious human lives, livestock, crops, sensitive installations, national resources and machinery. He asked the field officers to keep close liaison with the district administration of their districts, PDMA, Irrigation department, rescue and field officers of other departments concerned. Sardar stressed upon taking emergency measures in those districts where floods had been forecast by the PDMA. The IG Punjab directed field officers to chalk out  a work plan for dealing with the pre-floods as well as ensure regular conduct of emergency drills. He ordered the Additional IG PHP to ensure availability of relief and rescue equipment such as boats, life jackets and staff at all river check posts across the province.

The inspector general police said that close coordination with law enforcement agencies and Pakistan Army should be ensured during the precautionary arrangements, whereas 100 percent attendance should be ensured by canceling leaves of all the concerned staff during the flood season. He further ordered setting up flood control rooms at district level. He also directed to identify suitable places for setting up of rescue and relief camps.

Sardar said that in case of emergency, a comprehensive system of police telecommunication should be set up for immediate receipt and transmission of information while backup of reserve personnel of police force should be made mandatory to deal with emergency situation at sensitive places.