RAWALPINDI, May 6: Inspector general of police Punjab Shaukat Javed on Tuesday said the police were being trained and equipped for fight terrorism, extremism and to check crime.

He was addressing the passing-out parade of police officers, held here at Police College Sihala on Tuesday. Besides the other police officials, commandant college Dr Wasim Kausar, deputy commandant Muhammad Usman, and City Police Officer Rawalpindi Rao Mohammad Iqbal were also present on the occasion.

“Pakistan is playing important role in the fight against terrorism and we have still been facing threats of terrorist attacks. And we have pledged to continue our fight against terrorism,” the IG said.

The IG said all the law enforcement agencies had been fighting against terrorism and in this regard the Punjab police had played an important role.

Mr Javed appreciated the efforts of commandant Police College Sihala for introducing a degree course in crimes (BSc crimes) and the Punjab university would issue the degree after the completion of the course.

The IGP assured the college administration that the water shortage problem pointed out by the commandant college was a genuine one and it would be addressed on top priority basis.

To a question, the inspector general police said lists of the proclaimed and court absconders had been prepared and a massive campaign against the proclaimed offenders and court absconders had been launched in the province from May 1 and its results would be visible within next two to three weeks.

Mr Javed said lists of all the political cases had been prepared and sent to the federal government who was to decide their fate.

The IGP said a move to end the VIP culture had been started as nobody except those dignitaries who are legally authorized, would be allowed to use hooter during their movement and keep police guards.

“All the police guards being used by the VIPs will be withdrawn so that they could be used for the protection of live and public property,” the IGP said.

The IGP’s claim to end VIP culture was belied when his police guards did not allow any other vehicle to overtake his convoy heading towards Police College Sihala to attend the passing out parade.

To another question the IG said the police had been taking all possible security measures to avert terrorist attacks as threat still exists.

The IGP said the future of traffic wardens was secured, however, he said no such recruitments would be made without public service examination in the future.

Earlier, the commandant college Dr Wasim Kausar said in his address that 680 police officials had participated in the passing out parade. He said different courses related to the capacity building were being taught with the cooperation of US department of state and justice.