Punjab Police Officers Must Address Citizens as ‘Sir’, New Reforms

Sunday, 15 February 2026 | Web Desk

In a groundbreaking move to improve police-public relations, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered that every police officer in the province must now address citizens respectfully as “Sir” and “Janab” . No officer will be permitted to speak to the public without using these courteous terms.

The directive was issued during a high-level meeting on police reforms chaired by the Chief Minister in Lahore. The session was attended by the Inspector General of Punjab Police and other senior police officials.

“Praise should be given in public, and likewise, punishment should also be given in public,” Maryam Nawaz asserted, emphasizing transparency and accountability in the police force.

Key Reforms Announced

The meeting resulted in several significant decisions aimed at modernizing and humanizing policing in Punjab:

Body Cameras: 10 personnel from each police station will be equipped with body cameras. A total of 14,000 body cameras and 700 panic buttons will be installed across Punjab to enhance transparency and officer safety.

Online FIR Tracking: Citizens will now be able to track their FIRs online, bringing greater transparency to the complaint registration process.

3-Hour Complaint Resolution: Maryam Nawaz set a three-month timeline for implementing reforms and directed that public complaints should be resolved within two to three hours.

‘Only Criminals Should Fear Police’

Addressing the officers, the Chief Minister articulated her vision for a citizen-friendly police force. “People should only fear criminals, not the police. Citizens must have confidence that the police will help them in times of trouble,” she stated.

She particularly emphasized the safety of women, declaring, “I cannot tolerate any daughter feeling unsafe while I am here.” The statement underscores her commitment to creating a secure environment through responsive policing.

Implementation Strategy

To ensure the reforms take root effectively, Maryam Nawaz instructed officials to adopt a comprehensive approach covering short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies. The three-month timeline for implementation signals the government’s urgency in transforming police culture and service delivery.

The reforms represent one of the most significant overhauls of provincial policing in recent years, focusing equally on technological modernization and behavioral change within the force.