RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi police are yet to arrest over 9,127 proclaimed offenders (POs) despite being given monthly targets by higher authorities.

According to sources, of the 9,127 POs, 941 had been placed in category A and 8,186 in category B to arrest and present before courts.

To deal with the crisis, the police have sought red warrants for 16 of them who have reportedly fled abroad. Sources said out of the total POs, 2,575 were wanted by the Rawal police and 3,950 by the Potohar police. They said the police have been unable to meet their monthly targets despite several reminders given by senior officials.

The station house officers (SHOs) were warned of departmental action in case of failure to meet the set target. Expressing displeasure over the failure of meeting the targets of apprehend-ing POs and court absconders, Senior Superintendent of Police Operation Kashif Zulfiqar issued directives to all SHOs to constitute special teams to ensure the arrests of POs and court absconders.

A target for February had been set by the police to apprehend 862 rule violators.

`Except for a few, SHOs of various police stations reportedly missed their targets as in January, the Rawal division police comprising eight police stations could only detain 58 POs out of 2,575,` the police said.

Similarly, the city police could detain only 2 POs, Ganj Mandi, Ratta Amral, Banni and New Town could arrest only four POs eachin January2025.

Likewise, the Potohar division comprising 11 police stations was able to arrest 94 POs out of 3,950 while the Sadar Division comprising10 police stations could arrest only 71 POs out of 2,602. Sources said the performance of Cantt and RA Bazar police also remaineding POs and court absconders, Senior Superintendent of Police Operation Kashif Zulfiqar issued directives to all SHOs to constitute special teams to ensure the arrests of POs and court absconders.

A target for February had been set by the police to apprehend 862 rule violators.

`Except for a few, SHOs of various police stations reportedly missed their targets as in January, the Rawal division police comprising eight police stations could only detain 58 POs out of 2,575,` the police said.

Similarly, the city police could detain only 2 POs, Ganj Mandi, Ratta Amral, Banni and New Town could arrest only four POs eachin January2025.

Likewise, the Potohar division comprising 11 police stations was able to arrest 94 POs out of 3,950 while the Sadar Division comprising10 police stations could arrest only 71 POs out of 2,602. Sources said the performance of Cantt and RA Bazar police also remaineddismal as they were able to arrest only 2 and 3 POs respectively.

Following the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government was monitoring progress on cases of serious nature and their investigation every month.

Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar has sought detailed reports from the divisional police chiefs, including the regional police officer and the city police officer.

Sources said the Punjab IG has asked relevant officers to report on the crimes in their respective districts including murder, attempted murder and abduction registered during the month of January.

The police chief has also sought details of challans submitted in courts and those delayed. He has also reportedly sought details of arrests made during the last month. Sources said following the IG`s orders, officials of the relevant branches of the police department were busy preparing the reports.