LAHORE: For first time ever, US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Bloom on Tuesday paid a visit to Punjab’s Central Police Office where he and Inspector General of Punjab Police Dr Usman Anwar agreed to increase working relationships between Punjab Police and American security agencies to combat terrorism and extremism, besides improving representation of young police officers in the training programs of the US.
US Ambassador Donald Bloom was accompanied by American Consul General Kristin K. Hawkins, Economics Officer Douglas Johnston, Security Attaché Mike Diamond, and Security advisor Safdar Ali Rao during the visit.
پاکستان میں امریکہ کے سفیر ڈونلڈ بلوم کی سنٹرل پولیس آفس آمد، آئی جی پنجاب ڈاکٹر عثمان انور سے ملاقات۔ وفد میں امریکی سفارتخانے کے اعلٰی عہدیداران شامل۔
آئی جی پنجاب ڈاکٹر عثمان انور نے پنجاب پولیس کی ورکنگ بارے بریفنگ دی اور شہداء وال سمیت سی پی او کے مختلف حصوں کا دورہ کروایا۔… pic.twitter.com/x6hOOjsQ6K— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) September 5, 2023
According to the Spokesman for the Punjab Police, it was the first time any American Ambassador visited the Punjab’s Central Police Office. During the meeting, security matters of American citizens across the province, including Lahore, and USID programs were also discussed.
Talking to the US delegation, IGP Dr Usman Anwar said that the foolproof security of American citizens, investors, and experts coming to the province is the topmost priority, for which the officers of the Special Protection Unit are working day and night.
During the meeting, it was agreed to further promote cooperation in bilateral security matters between the Punjab Police and the United States. The US Ambassador appreciated the sacrifices, role, and achievements of the Punjab Police in the struggle against terrorism and religious extremism.
کسی بھی امریکی سفیر کا ملکی تاریخ میں پہلی دفعہ پولیس کوارٹرز کا دورہ۔ 🤡
— Rai Saqib KharaL (@iRaiSaqib) September 5, 2023
On the occasion, Dr usman said that Punjab Police is committed to gender equality and the empowerment of women, saying women officer and personnel make up 15 percent of the Punjab Police. He thanked the USID for providing advanced training to victim support women officers of Police Tahaffuz Marakaz.
He also apprised the US Ambassador about the objectives and facilities being provided in Tahaffuz Marakaz and Messaq Centers. “Tahaffuz Marakazs are playing a significant role in providing assistance and protection to the transgenders, destitute children, and women suffering from social problems whereas Meesaq Centers are ensuring priority measures to protect the lives and property of minority citizens and delivery of services across the province”, he added.
The Punjab IGP further said that more than 15 million people have benefited from the state-of-the-art online facilities of the police Tahaffuz Marakaz, IT reforms, expanding the scope of Safe Cities to other districts for better delivery of services to the citizens. He said that the training quality of police training institutes will be enhanced with American cooperation, and the force will be equipped with modern equipment.
During the meeting, upgrading of the Central Fingerprint Bureau of the Punjab Police with modern skills in artificial intelligence was also discussed. Dr Usman Anwar informed the American ambassador about the ongoing measures to eradicate drugs.
During the meeting, the American delegation and the IG Police also discussed the establishment of a satellite unit of forensic laboratories in the divisional police headquarters. On the occasion, the US Ambassador went around the Martyrs and Ghazi Walls and watched artifacts related to the police in the museum at the Central Police Office.
DIG IT Ahsan Younss, DIG Headquarters Humayun Bashir Tarar, DIG Logistics Athar Ismail, AIG Admin Amara Athar, SSP Nida Umar Chatha, SP Iqbal Town Aqeela Naqvi, and ASP Syeda Shaherbanu, along with other senior officers, were present on the occasion.
