Daily Times

The initiative depicts ITP’s professional capabilities and institutional build-up in the realm of modern policing and establishing liaison across different segments of society for smooth communication and coordination.

Without a much needed public support, the police could not come up with methodical strategies and countering spiraling networks of criminals and law breakers. This will improve public confidence in the force in the long term.

Apart from legal and administrative technicalities, the administration has tried to amalgamate diverse cultures of the federating units by providing the citizens with colourful stage shows, nationalist songs, diversity dresses and traditional foods. This can go a long way in unifying all and sundry resulting in promoting unity in diversity.

Realistically, the model for excellence could be achieved by adopting the five core values of being selflessly service-oriented, people friendly, equal application of law, professionalism and moral integrity.

The IG and chief commissioner of Islamabad have addressed themselves to turn this initiative into tangible dividend and durable results on ground.

Pragmatically, paradigm shift necessitates multifaceted and holistic reforms. The parliament tends to make police laws keeping in view modern counter-terrorism strategies and urban areas sensitivities.

The prevalent Police Act, 1861, is antediluvian and frozen in time that is based on colonial era client-patron relationship. The recently passed KP assembly police laws are good steps in the right direction. The federal and provincial set-ups should come up with meaningful laws. Strict internal accountability mechanisms and application of forensic technologies could augment its performance and delivery of services to the public at door step.

Saeed Khan Wazir

Islamabad

Published in Daily Times, March 22^nd 2018.