Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar on Monday ordered a province-wide high alert, directing security forces to launch immediate sweep and combing operations across all districts.

Chairing a security meeting via video link at the Central Police Office (CPO) Lahore, the IGP instructed SDPOs and SHOs to coordinate closely with the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and other agencies in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and the rest of the province.

He ordered mock security exercises in educational institutions and said CCTV surveillance, trained security guards and emergency evacuation plans must be in place at all entry and exit points of schools and colleges.

The IGP also directed authorities to complete profiling and data verification of all individuals entering Punjab from other provinces without delay. Monitoring of banned organisations, including TLP, would continue, he added, while door-knocking and intelligence-based operations would be stepped up to curb terrorist activity.

Dr Anwar noted that police enforcement campaigns, supported by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, had sharply improved compliance on traffic laws, crime control and anti-narcotics measures.

He said the issuance of driving licences had risen more than 930 percent under sustained enforcement and awareness drives.

He praised DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran for a 46 percent reduction in crime in the provincial capital, and commended the CTD for its performance in crime control and anti-narcotics operations.

DIG Traffic Waqas Nazir was also lauded for gains in traffic enforcement, reduced accidents and higher licence issuance.

The IGP announced that 3,500 additional promotions would be granted within the police force in the coming days.

The meeting was attended by Additional IG Special Branch Rao Abdul Kareem, Additional IG CTD Muhammad Waseem Sial, Additional IG Operations Punjab Muhammad Ali Naikokara, AIG Operations and AIG Admin & Security. Additional IG South Punjab and all RPOs, CPOs, DPOs and DIG Operations Lahore joined via video link.