Police reforms

The word ‘Thana Culture’ has well accommodated its

place in English language. The current system of Pakistan
carries its own history rooting from Mughal Empire. Then
it evoluted in the form of the Act 1861 in British rule.
Pakistan also adopted the same Act 1861 to run its police
system.
In the beginning, the anti-corruption department was
combined with police system of Pakistan but later in
1969-70, for the better performance and outcomes, it
was separated from Police department.
Now two provinces of Pakistan, Balochistan and Sind are
running its police system under the same colonial act
1861 and Punjab also ran 55 years its police system under
the same act and then introduced reforms in 2002 in
Musharraf regime. The KP adopted its own police system
which resulted positively.
Now, the recent brutal reports of Punjab police have
terribly and psychologically shaken the public and
created a great deal of mistrust in society about Police.
The mysterious deaths of police custodial by the Punjab
Police because of corporal punishment or torture have
really alarmed police system of Pakistan.
in july 2019, A police team raided in a guest house at
johar town, slapped women and even filmed them in the
compromised position. Ethical and moral values were
neglected there. In the same month in Multan, An S.H.O
brutally tortured an elderly woman after barging into her
house. Legally, the police is not allowed to enter into a
home without warrant. The Chief Minister suspends
some officers, takes notices and nothing else is done
more.

There have seen no reforms in Police even after the big

heartrending happenings such as model town Lahore
incident. Salahuddin, a mentally challenged person who
was brutally beaten, humiliated and then died. His death
has put a Question mark on police system of Pakistan.
There is a series of such incidents which demands
effectual reforms in 'Thana Culture'.

Imran khan, before taking charge of prime minister, had

pronounced many times to reform police system of
Pakistan and now his priorities, i think, have varied.
Currently, Chief Mister Usman Buzdar's spokesperson,
Shahbaz Gill has proclaimed in a press conference to
reform police system of Pakistan on long and short terms.
Short term reforms, he pronounced, would be like DSPs
and DPOs would have to submit a report that there is no
torture cell in their respective city. Complaint-boxes
would be placed near every Police station. DSPs and
DPOs can also be charged First information report. But
here a question rises that, are these some chunks of
short term reforms are enough? Answer is, definitely not.

IG Punjab, Arif Nawaz has banned smart phones carrying

in police stations. The CCPO has sent this notification to
all police stations in Punjab. The Citizens have reacted
this act of the IG Punjab very badly and commented that
this will hide misdeeds of Police stations.
Prime Minister Imran khan has asked for police reforms
to the chief Minster Usman Buzdar in Punjab with the
help of the KP police. There have been twenty-one
reports since 1947 on the recommendations for Police
reforms.
Forensic labs are not effective because of which the
Sindh cases are reported to Islamabad. In past, Funds
were also allocated for the up-gradation of forensic
Laboratories but no serious attempts were seen.
The police department must be delinked from political
influence. It should be autonomous and psychological
recruitment is substantial and cardinal.

Writer:
Mohammad shafiq
Postal address:
P/o Talwandi Bhindran, Narowal.
Phone Number:
0323-77 0 2466