News Analysis |
Before Eid, the Prime Minster paid surprise visits to police stations and noted the inhumane treatment being met to the prisoners. He immediately ordered to improve the facilities so that nobody has to face such issues.
IG Punjab directed to integrate the system with the central police office’s monitoring and control room for effective observation of these cameras. IG Punjab gave these directions to all RPOs, CPOs and DPOs by a directive.
In this directive, it has been decided that RPOs and DPOs should undertake the process of installation of CCTV cameras in all police stations of the districts and ranges under their supervision without any delay, and all RPOs should ensure 24/7 monitoring of these cameras.
The PTI promised before coming into power to reform police and make it a model institution. But after assuming the offices, the party has failed to introduce any change.
Moreover, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar also stated on the same day how the Naya Pakistan also belongs to the poor. He made it clear that the preferences of the incumbent government are about upgrading the lives of the poor. The chief minister recently noted that his government was committed to solve the problems of the common people on a priority basis. “We are always striving for solving public problems and every moment of the government is devoted to providing a better future to the nation,” he said.
The PTI promised before coming into power to reform police and make it a model institution. But after assuming the offices, the party has failed to introduce any change which might have impacted the performance of the police across the province. It has disappointed many of PTI’s supporters who were expecting to live in a ‘Naya Pakistan’.
Read more: Police Service: Challenges & Reforms
Analysts maintain that PTI’s government did not focus on reforming police. Abdul Sattar, columnist and journalist, recently noted that “Let us begin with the independence of the police department and the current ruling elite’s claim to put an end to political influence. Soon after the government came into power, the DPO of Pakpattan was transferred – some say for merely doing his duty – something that shocked many admirers of Khan.
The ex-IG of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nasir Durrani, who was tasked to carry out reforms in the Punjab police, resigned after what critics said was interference by politicians. This further fuelled suspicions about the claims made by the new government; and later developments seemed to have vindicated them.
The Prime Minister was also informed that Punjab has different political dynamics and cultural background as compared to KP.
The Islamabad police came under tremendous pressure when reportedly people belonging to federal minister Azam Swati’s side beat up a poor family close to the minister’s farm house. Interestingly the minister admitted to have encroached upon a few kanals of CDA land.”
But the latest development has given a new hope to the people of Punjab in a way which ensures that the incumbent government is concerned about the police reforms and working closely on the subject. Sources claim that the project of de-politicization of police in Punjab became even more difficult because of the attitude of local leadership who still believe that without accommodative police in the province, it is not possible to ensure the functioning of the government.
In initial meetings with members of the provincial assembly, the Prime Minister was also informed that Punjab has different political dynamics and cultural background as compared to KP. Therefore, it required an entirely new set of policies to get reformed.
Read more: Punjab, Sindh continue to evade police reform
But the latest decision of installation of cameras in police stations shall help the top brass to have a close eye over what is going on in the police station and on who is doing what.