Reforms in police system a must: SC

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) observed on Thursday that reforms in police were necessary as the culture was to be changed in the country.The apex court sought final recommendations from federation and provinces with regard to reforms in the police system.
SC Chief Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked, “The police are the biggest problem of people of Pakistan. If police are corrected, everything will become correct. The problems being faced by the people could be addressed through local government (LG) system but it has not come so far. Owing to which public safety commission is still dysfunctional. Whichever case we touch wherein government intervention is involved, it looks incomplete. Mere work on paper will not work and the thinking of the people will not change.” He asked if the government could not do the job, it should assign this to the court to do.
Justice Dost Muhammad Khan remarked, “If we all are working for the solidarity and integrity of the country, we will have to strengthen our institutions. All including police will have to work honestly. If any police officer is involved in any crime, his fellow police man declares him innocent within 3 days and frees him. We will have to introduce reforms in police on the pattern of Scotland Yard.
Justice Qazi Faiz Essa remarked, “Making police people friendly is the need of hour.”A three-member bench of SC presided over by CJP Jawwad S Khawaja took up the case for hearing Thursday.Sarwar Khan, Secretary Law and Justice Commission presented detailed report in the court with reference to police reforms and other matters.
He said that administration pressure was less and political pressure was more on the police. What role it had to play in democratic societies, it was not playing that role.Justice Dost Muhammad inquired if the police could work on the pattern of Scotland Yard.
Secretary said, “We can do so. But we will have to impart training to police and will have to provide all facilities. We will have to see the powers of police and we have to see who can control them.”