Sexual crimes against women, kids: 80pc of offenders are people known to victims, says Punjab IGP

LAHORE: Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem has said that immediate action is being taken to curb sexual crimes against women and children on the chief minister’s directives and that 80 per cent of such crimes are committed by the relatives or people known to the victims. The IGP said this at a ‘Meet the Press’ programme organised by the Lahore Press Club here on Tuesday, flanked by Lahore DIG Investigation Zeeshan Raza, DIG Operations Faisal Kamran and other police officers. The Punjab police chief said that crime reporters play a vital role in identifying crime, guiding law enforcement agencies and helping improve the policing system, describing them as the “eyes, ears and helpers” of the Punjab Police. He said there were 800 police stations in Punjab, which are the basic service-delivery mechanism of the police. Listing the reforms introduced in policing, he cited automated systems, Safe City cameras, virtual women police stations and centres for child safety, body cameras and panic (pink) buttons as examples. “The purpose of the police is to provide justice to people, ” he said, adding that measures are being taken to ensure greater relief to the citizens visiting police stations. Regarding the Crime Control Department (CCD), the IG said its scope is limited and that serious crimes have “declined significantly because of effective measures. ” Only the cases falling within the CCD’s jurisdiction are being referred to the department, he added. The IGP said departmental proceedings have already been initiated against police personnel, from constable to senior ranks, over corruption and irregularities. He warned that there would be no leniency in the complaints of corruption, misconduct or abuse of authority by police officials. He claimed that property-related crimes in Punjab have “almost been eliminated” and that the traffic system has also improved. He announced that a board for promotion from the rank of sub-inspector to inspector would be convened soon. He said the Elite Orientation Course was meant for officers up to the ASP rank. On the use of body cameras, Mr Kareem said the chief minister had allocated Rs12 billion for the initiative and that a consignment comprising 1, 000 body cameras had arrived, with around 500 expected to be received on Tuesday, while more were on the way. “Now every police officer deployed at a checkpoint will have a body camera, ” he said. The IG attributed the restoration of peace in the Katcha areas to effective police action and government measures. He further stated that legislation against illegal weapons is being introduced, and a summary in this regard is in process. At the conclusion of the programme, the press club president presented a shield to the IGP, who reciprocated the gesture by presenting police souvenirs to the club office-bearers. Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2026

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