Lahore: In a major statewide operation, the Punjab Police have arrested over 185,000 individuals linked to various criminal activities across the province, marking a significant step towards achieving Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision for a safer Punjab. This extensive crackdown, led by IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar, has seen a notable increase in targeted operations against organized crime.
According to Punjab Police, the operation has successfully apprehended 104,000 proclaimed offenders this year alone, with arrests spanning multiple categories of criminal involvement. Among the arrested are 17,491 offenders listed under Category A—those wanted for more serious crimes—and 86,928 under Category B. The police have also secured the arrests of nearly 55,000 court absconders, including 4,642 in Category A and 49,839 in Category B, along with more than 26,000 habitual offenders.
The operation also extended beyond national borders, with over 80 high-profile criminals wanted for severe offenses arrested from abroad and extradited back to Pakistan. In Lahore, the provincial capital, the crackdown led to the arrest of more than 56,000 criminals, including 21,019 proclaimed offenders, 24,523 court absconders, and 10,948 habitual offenders.
IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar lauded the efforts of the police teams involved in the operations and directed further intensification of efforts to dismantle organized crime networks. He emphasized the importance of swift and thorough investigation of cases to ensure that justice is served, and instructed Regional Police Officers (RPOs) and District Police Officers (DPOs) to personally oversee these targeted operations.