LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is organising a consultation on draft Police Act, 2010, proposed by the Punjab police and issues about police reforms in Pakistan on Feb 12 (Friday afternoon).
Delegates from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative and International Committee of Red Cross as well as members of civil society and senior police and civil service officials have been invited to the event.
HRCP plans to formulate and submit its recommendations on the proposed draft in particular and issues regarding police reform in Pakistan.
The issues which are proposed to be brought up for discussion include introduction to draft Police Act, 2010, investigations (separation from watch and ward, experience, possibilities and scope and change of investigation, issues and problems), role of district, regional and provincial heads of police, role of district magistrate (past experience and possibilities), oversight/accountability of police, issues around the Police Order and its implementation and impact and the need to change it, and conclusions and recommendations.
The purpose of the event is to bring together key stakeholders on the issue of police reform so that the dialogue can move beyond analysis and focus on prescription.
It will be held at the HRCP headquarters, 107-Abu Bakr Block, New Garden Town.
According to HRCP’s concept paper when the Police Act, 1861 was repealed by the Police Order, 2002, some observers saw it a step forward and expected improvement in the performance of the police. The promise laid in the independence that the police would enjoy under the new law from other centres of bureaucratic power and political influence.
Eight years down the road, however, there is not much to show by way of improvement. For example, crime rate and number of unresolved cases have in most instances increased. Cases of police excesses do not seem to have declined. Accountability of the police remains evasive like before. The eternal complaint of non-registration of FIRs and the issue of political interference remain as high as ever.
The Police Order was promulgated without due opportunity of hearing being given to the members of civil society. The provinces, in the absence of a democratic setup, were also not taken on board. With the benefit of hindsight, it is easier to now say that the reform agenda of the international donors caused the military regime rush to adopt measures which would not work in Pakistani context.
As the country quickly passes through the first quarter of 2010, the provincial governments are all set to drastically amend or wholly repeal the Police Order, 2002.
The Punjab police have proposed a draft Police Act, 2010 to the committee set up by the chief minister. It provides all the stakeholders with an opportunity to re-evaluate and analyse the Police Order, 2002 and express their opinion on the new proposed draft in light of the past experience. Regardless of what legislative model is used, the time to act is now.
It is incumbent on legislators, police officials, and civil society to act at this critical juncture in Pakistan’s political development, the paper says.
Source: Dawn
Date:2/11/2010
