Punjab: CM doubles salaries of police officials, Rs 3m for each martyr

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Punjab government to bear additional expenditure of Rs 8 billion
* Shahbaz says policemen being trained on modern lines to counter terrorism, extremism

By Rana Tanveer
LAHORE: Financial assistance for the families of martyred police officials has been increased from Rs 2 million to Rs 3 million each, while every policeman injured in the line of duty will be given Rs 300,000, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif said on Wednesday.

Addressing a ceremony held in this regard at the Qila Gujjar Singh Police Lines, Shahbaz also announced a reasonable raise in salaries of the Punjab Police officials at par with salaries of the Motorway Police in lieu of risk and daily and ration allowances. The decisions will be applicable from April 1, 2009.

According to details, all police officials from the rank of constable to inspector general will get risk allowance equal to their basic pay, and a fixed daily allowance of 20 days every month. Ration allowance for constables, head constables, assistant sub-inspectors and sub-inspectors has also been increased from Rs 1,390 to Rs 3,000, which is equal to the allowance of civil armed forces personnel.

Bearing expense: The Punjab government will bear the additional expenditure of Rs 8 billion following the raise in salaries and allowances of the police officials. Around 166,900 personnel of the Punjab Police – including 118,000 constables, 17,200 head constables, 12,000 assistant sub-inspectors and 8,000 sub-inspectors –will benefit from the decision.

Anti-terror: The CM said now the police would have to play an active role and come up to the expectation of the people with regards to the protection of life and property of citizens, provision of justice, change in Thana Culture and maintenance of law and order.

He said police officials were being imparted training on modern lines with latest weapons to cope with the challenges of terrorism, extremism and militancy. He said Pakistan currently faced serious problems including terrorism and militancy, and urged the nation to counter all challenges with courage and steadfastness. Quoting the example of Germany and Japan, he said international forces had ravaged the two countries, but they re-emerged as strong nations due to their hard work, commitment and determination.

Addressing the function, Punjab Inspector General (IG) Shaukat Javed said the raise in salaries of police officials would result in improvement in its performance and “the department will spare no effort to root out terrorism, redress grievances of the common man and eliminate crimes from the society”. Capital City Police Officer Muhammad Pervez Rathore also addressed the gathering. Model Town Division Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ayaz Aslam told Daily Times a sense of responsibility had been felt by all police officials after the announcement of raise in salaries, “and they will leave no stone unturned in ensuring peace and security to the public”.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg13_1