PM Imran meets CM Punjab Usman Buzdar

Prime Minister Imran Khan met with Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar here on Friday.

According to sources, the prime minister discussed the issue of the recent killings in police custody.

PM Imran expressed concern over the killings and urged expediting the process of reforms in police.

PM Imran also directed strict action against those hoarding supplies, adding to inflation.

In the meeting, the political situation of the province was also discussed and PM Imran expressed confidence over the performance of the CM Punjab.

Salahuddin Ayubi – a mentally-challenged alleged thief – died in custody of Punjab police, following which people expressed their outrage on the incident.

He also discussed the current political situation and expressed confidence in Buzdar’s performance in Punjab.

Meanwhile, taking cue from the prime minister’s orders, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Captain (R) Arif Nawaz Khan wrote a letter to CCPO Lahore, all RPOs CPOs and DPOs, wherein he expressed displeasure over custodial torture, deaths and illegal detentions, and warned that strict action will be taken against those who violate the new directives.

The IGP also gave directions to the Internal Accountability Branch for immediate action against the persons involved in custodial deaths and in case of any custodial torture, death or illegal detention as per zero-tolerance policy.

In the letter, field officers were further directed to perform their duties according to the issued SOPs ensuring that no accused in custody is being treated illegally.

This development follows accusations of brutality against the Punjab Police.

The chief minister had earlier stressed that extrajudicial actions on part of law enforcement agencies were not acceptable.

He had also ordered an inquiry into the death of the ‘ATM robbery suspect’ which occurred under police custody.