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Police reform panel recommendations to be implemented from July 1: Moin

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Federal Interior Minister Lt. Gen. Moin Uddin Haider (Retd) said on Saturday that recommendations of the Focal Group on Police Reforms would be implemented from July 1, 2000.

Haider was speaking at a programme organised by the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee "Stakeholders Dialogue on the Recommendations of the Focal Group on Police Reforms" at a local hotel.

The recommendations suggest establishment of national public safety commission to provide general superintendence over the police and law enforcement agencies of the federal government, and to co-ordinate with provincial police forces.

Similarly, a provincial public safety commission may be established in each province. Islamabad, and the four provincial headquarters would have metropolitan police force. Each province would have a separate metropolitan public safety commission.

The intention, as reflected in the recommendations, are to induct non-political persons in the various commissions to keep its performance "above board."

It is recommended to rationalise the pay structure, recruitment and training needs and system of accountability for the policemen.

Haider said breaking the status quo is not easy as there are problems and blockades erected by the vested groups. We have faced obstacles and solved them, he added.

Haider said the recommendation were aimed at bringing about changes in the age-old police system and to bring it nearer to a modern system of police. It is to serve the people in a better way, he added.

Haider said people should not expect a sudden transformation from a discarded system to system taking care of all the grievances of the people against the police. The change will be gradual and in a phased manner.

He said there are 350,000 policemen in the country and they cannot be replaced by an ideal set of manpower.

The recommendations, however, promise a change for the better and a provide a long-term remedy to most of the ills of the system.

He said "We are trying to make Pakistan a civilised state."

"We have asked people to deposit their illegal weapons and help the government in its efforts to de-weaponise the society. The collection of weapons would begin from the illegal holders of arms and then we would move towards those who have lisenced arms and ammunition. In the third stage the police would be asked to deposit its weapons of prohibited bore. "The purpose is to give you a weapon-free society. Those who think it is a part of their culture will also have to listen to us. The times are changing and values are changing. people will have to accept the reality and act accordingly. Law is for everybody."

Haider said, "In respect of weapons we mean business."

He said the recommendations of the Focus Group are the collection of good points taken from more than 26 various reports complied during 1960-1997.

"We have also noted suggestions and objections raised here at this discussion programme. The practical ones would be accommodated in our report. The report is yet to be finalised. We have to go to other provinces and to have similar discussion on the report with the people who are stakeholders. After the discussions are over and a consensus is reached, final recommendations of the group would be placed before the cabinet. When approved by the cabinet, the recommendation would be implemented."

He said the first informantion report (FIR) is a questionable document and he would suggest that it should not be taken as an authentic and honest document till such time its credibility is established through an inquiry. "Those filing false FIRs should be punished and that should be know to others."

Afzal Ali Shigri, a former inspector general of Sindh police and member/secretary of the group presented the recommendations of the Focal Group. Jameel Yusuf, member of the Group and chief of the CPLC, said in his remarks that a beginning is being made with a hope to achieve something better out of the existing.

A question-and-answer session followed the presentation of the recommendations.

Others who were present to answer questions from the stakeholders included Zafar Iqbal Rathore, chairman of the Group, Hasan Raza Pasha, federal interior secretary, Abdul Quddus Alvi, member, Major Ikram Sehgal (R), member; Dr. Shoab Suddel, DG Research (police), and A Rauf Chaudhry, joint secretary/member.