KARACHI: Civil society and human rights activists on Thursday expressed their satisfaction on the verdict announced by Sindh High Court in a Constitution Petition in Police Reforms case and expressed the hope that the provincial government would also accept it. They urged the police to help citizens maintain law and order and provide security to the public. Addressing a joint press conference at Karachi Press Club by Karamat Ali, flanked by Mahnaz Rahman, Resident Director of Aurat Foundation, Khateeb Ahmed from Shehri, Saeed Baloch, General Secretary of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Mir Zulfiqar Ali, Executive Director of Workers Education and Research Organisation and Shireen Khokhar of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said that although the Sindh High Court has not accepted their plea to declare the Police Order 1861 null and void, we are happy that the court has given a historic verdict regarding police reforms and restored the powers of Inspector General. “Onus is now on the Sindh government to introduce police reforms in province,” he added. Karamat Ali pointed out that petition has accepted the provincial assembly’s powers to make any laws. It has also mentioned that under the Sindh Government Rules of Business 1986 the tenure for IG is five years. However, the court has also endorsed that the provincial government has the powers to reduce the tenure. However, the tenure should not be less than three years, he added. The court has accepted the legislative competence of “Police” is in the exclusive Provincial domain. The Court has declared that the Sindh (Repeal of the Police Order, 2002 and Revival of the Police Act, 1861) Act, 2011 is intra vires of the Constitution and therefore, the Police Act, 1861, as revived and restored by the said Act, is the law in force in this province and not the Police Order, 2002. The post of Inspector General has a fixed term associated with it. Therefore, the court held that if at all an Inspector General can be removed during the term can only be for compelling reasons as laid down in Supreme Court judgment in Anita Turab case. Since, the proper procedure in accordance with law was not followed, the letter/notification addressed by the Provincial Government to the Federal Government on 31.03.2017 and 1.04.2017 were squashed by the court. Moreover, the court permanently restored the Inspector General, Sindh. Ali said the Police Act, 1861 also ensures Inspector General’s autonomy of command and independence of operation. It also vests the administration of the police force solely under the Inspector General. His position is at the apex of the force, therefore, any attempt to sideline or curtail his power directly or indirectly would be contrary to law and of no legal effect. Consequently, the power to transfers and posting in the police force at all levels vests in the Inspector General. Hence, the order/notification dated 07.07.2017, is quashed as being contrary to law and of no legal effect and any and all other such orders/notifications are likewise squashed. The Court also ordered Provincial Government to make rules in which Inspector General’s autonomy of command and independence of operation is ensured, in the meanwhile no transfers and postings of police force will take place without Inspector General’s order. The Court has also advised the government to conduct police reforms and it was hoped that it would be the initial step towards police reforms and fresh petition can also be filled on the remaining issues. Now we demand that this judgment is fully implemented and the Inspector General’s autonomy of command and independence of operation is respected and police should be De-politicized. We call upon the Inspector General and all officers under him to now exercise the autonomy of command and independence of operation for de-politicizing the police, to make all efforts to address citizens complaints against the police and to ensure that the only sole purpose of the police is to serve the people of Sindh, specifically safeguarding their life and liberty. Published in Daily Times, September 8th 2017.