DPO Mianwali using novel way to control crimes; build public trust
on police and transform an institution from corruption to responsibility
Islamabad
A unique mechanism has been introduced by the novel command of the Punjab Police to mesh proclaimed offenders, court absconders and other gangsters embroiled in organised crime.
Computerised National Identity Cards (CNIC) will be blocked by the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) on providing details of the criminals wanted to law enforcement agencies, the sources told ‘The News’.
Innovative policing is hallmark of upright police officers like DPO Mianwali Sarfraz Khan Virk who broke the ice not only in transforming police culture by building trust and confidence between police and public, but also introducing a mechanism to encircle criminal and proclaimed offenders by blocking CNICs of criminals and auctioning properties of proclaimed offenders.
During a criminal petition against proclaimed offenders (PO) of District Mianwali before Supreme Court of Pakistan dated October 29, 2015 DPO Sarfraz Khan Virk requested the apex court about the blocking of the CNICs of the accused POs as a modern technique to coerce the criminals to surrender before police, resultantly the bench of the apex court directed Nadra to block CNICs of both the accused and POs. On obtaining court orders, the request was made by DPO Mianwali Sarfraz Khan Virk to Nadra chairman who blocked CNICs of 93 POs of District Mianwali while remaining CNICs of 46 POs are under process.
This technique to encircle criminals is an addition to already available mechanism of action against/arrest of POs under section 87/88 Cr.P.C. These 93 POs after blockage of CNICs will not be able to get passports or renew it. The accused and POs cannot open bank account or cannot get and verify mobile-SIMs. This mechanism will made it impossible for accused POs to remain further fugitive from law and they will consider favourable to surrender before the local police rather than remaining POs.
In another similar move against accused POs, DPO Mianwali Sarfraz Khan Virk started a special campaign against proclaimed offenders and directed all SHOs of the district to initiate auction proceedings under section 87and 88 Cr.P.C. In this regard first attachment of properties was done and after completion of six-month period, with the approval of Area Magistrate, properties of 19-POs were auctioned through the Land-Revenue Officers. Resultantly Rs72,12,860 were received and deposited in government treasury by the Land Revenue Officers. This move as well as erstwhile are being appreciated by senior police high-ups as well by public and IG Punjab also directed all DPO to pursue and continue this tradition. Due to this campaign 10-POs surrendered before Mianwali Police due to the apprehension of the auction of their properties. Taking this move further ahead, it has been learnt that properties of additional 25-POs have got been attached by the Mianwali Police from the courts and auction of their properties under section 88 Cr.P.C is under process.
It is worth mentioning here that DPO Mianwali Sarfraz Khan Virk since the very day, he assumed charge in District Mianwali as DPO transformed the policing culture in the district and bridged police-public distance by displaying his office and mobile number in streets and offices of the district.
Public can call and inform DPO at any time on any wrongdoing and malpractice on part of criminals and police officials. This initiative build trust of public on police and within short span of time, District Mianwali to a larger extent has been purged from criminal activities.
It has been observed that accused proclaimed offenders did not bother to appear in the court and this initiative on part of DPO Sarfraz Virk will create fear among POs relating auction of their properties and coerce them to surrender before police. On other bloackage of CNICs will shun chance for accused criminals to go abroad.
These initiatives hinted at the fact that one-single upright official can transform an institution from corruption to responsibility and dedication for responsibilities. Sharing ideas with this scribe, DPO Mianwali Sarfraz Khan Virk stated that, society can be purged from crime and criminal elements, if one is committed and dedicated with his duty. “We are also devising a systematic mechanism by seeking volunteer services of youth in their respective areas to remain vigilant against suspects. Police can work wonderfully with assistance of public and this is possible when public trusts police and police perform dutifully”, said Virk.