Punjab to set up public liaison committees across province

LAHORE: Punjab Home Department has directed for the establishment of Public Liaison Committees (PLCs) across the province. In this regard, the provincial interior ministry has issued directions to the Deputy Commissioners across Punjab to establish these committees at the police station level.

These committees will be comprising of representatives of the society and government officials. The Public Liaison Committees will act as community watchdogs, home department spokesperson said on Sunday. The committee members will identify any threat in a timely manner and report suspicious activity, he added.

KP approves Rs1b to fight militancy in merged districts

These committees will also act as a bridge for information exchange between citizens and the police, and will assist law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in religious ceremonies, public gatherings, or emergencies as well.

The Public Liaison Committees will promote citizen awareness at the local level. The establishment of PLCs will increase trust between citizens and law enforcement agencies, the spokesperson said, adding that these committees will also be helpful in dealing with the threats of terrorism and extremism.

Moreover, the home department has issued instructions on the structure and duties of the PLCs.

In the first phase, every police station PLCs will be immediately established at the level of the police station. In the second phase, the committees will be activated up to the neighborhood and ward levels within three months.

The PLCs will include the police station in-charge of the area concerned, local dignitaries such as eminent elders, as well as traders, elected representatives and religious leaders. Trustworthy youth and local social workers will also be included in each public liaison committee.

Each Public Liaison Committee will hold monthly meetings, jointly chaired by the respective Assistant Commissioner and Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO). Committees set up within each police station’s jurisdiction will operate under their respective District Liaison Committees. Monthly progress from the sub-divisions will be reviewed by District Coordination Committees, which will then report to the Provincial Coordination Committee, the spokesperson explained.

Scorching heat incoming, PMD sounds heatwave alarm

The home department has directed to form committees on priority basis across Punjab, saying that these committees must be activated by April 20 and the details of the members and the action plan should be sent to the home department.

Instructions have been issued to all deputy commissioners (DCs), regional police officers (RPOs), district police officers (DPOs), city police officers (CPs), and Capital City Police Officer (CCPO).

Punjab Home Department will review the performance of all Public Liaison Committees (PLCs), the spokesperson said.