New IGP directs cops to ensure honesty, respect for public

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s new Inspector General of Police (IGP) Moazzam Jah Ansari has announced the policing policy based on four principles including integrity, courtesy and respect, public service and hard work.

“Integrity, respect for people and dealing with them politely, serving the people to the best of the cops’ ability and working hard in the field, police stations and offices are the principles for policing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa now,” he said while talking to The News.

He took over the charge of office on Friday. He was heading the paramilitary Frontier Constabulary before the new posting. He served as the IGP of Balochistan as well.

“Honest and hardworking officers and jawans will be encouraged while the corrupt and inefficient ones will face the music. There is no place in the KP Police for the corrupt elements and those not performing duty well,” said the KP Police chief.

He said all the senior and junior cops had been directed to be polite and respectful to the common man in offices, police stations, police posts, on roads and streets or anywhere.

It may be mentioned that a number of complaints of abuse of power by the police in lock-ups and other places were made in the last few years.

The KP Assembly had last week taken up the issue of alleged misuse of powers by the provincial police force for three days after Member Provincial Assembly from Bajaur, Ajmal Khan, complained of misbehaviour by the Khazana Police Station House Officer Ibad Wazir and other cops subordinate to him on the Charsadda Road near Peshawar.

Only a day later, senior teachers from several universities were thrashed on roads when they were protesting for their rights.

Efforts are being made by politicians as well as bureaucrats to limit the powers of the police chief and his force after the emergence of reports of incidents of misuse of powers by the cops.

“The cops have to serve the people to the best of their ability as it is their duty. Policemen need to protect the life, property and respect of citizen by doing hard work. No one will be allowed to misuse powers while dealing with the common man,” said Moazzam Jah Ansari.

He asked the constables and junior officials to inform him about the problems they were facing and directed the relevant bosses to address these issues.

He directed the officers to address all the issues, including jobs, Shaheed package for families of martyred cops, education and health, of the families of the martyrs as well as those who sustained injuries while performing duty.

“The KP Police is the bravest force that has sacrificed the highest number of officers from Additional IGP down to constables,” said Moazzam Jah Ansari. He said he was feeling proud to be heading the bravest police force that rendered matchless sacrifices in the last 15 years.

The IGP later on Sunday addressed a Police Darbar at the Malik Saad Shaheed Police Lines.

He laid floral wreaths at the memorial to the martyrs after a contingent of the force presented him with a salute on his arrival.

Capital City Police Officer Abbas Ahsan, SSP (Operations) Yasir Afridi, SSP (Traffic) Abbas Majeed Khan Marwat, Director Campus Police Hussain Khan, District Police Officer for Khyber, Waseem Riaz, and other senior cops attended the event.

The IGP said the cops would be given incentives and respect so they do their best for the welfare of the people.

The IGP said the issues being faced by the cops would be addressed so that they better serve the public of the province and become the best force in the country.

The police chief said the force was like a family. He said he would take care of everyone in the force and expect the best from them for the welfare of the common man.

The IGP directed the regional and district police bosses to ensure that all the officers and officials were courteous and give respect

to the common man coming to them. He said they

should resolve their problems but go aggressively after the criminals, drug dealers and terrorists.