Daily Times

KARACHI: On increasing complaints about the misuse of Temporary Residents Act 2015 by police for making money, the DIG East has formed a vigilance team to check the allegations.

DIG East Arif Hanif told Daily Times police is bound to register a case soon after detaining any person in for violating specific Temporary Residents Act and the matter goes to court directly. “If police release suspects after arresting them under the act they would be subject to strict departmental proceedings”, Hanif warned.

It is pertinent to mention that police has started operation against foreigner residing in the city without legal formalities under National Action Plan. For the implementation of NAP in its true spirit the IG Sindh AD Khawaja has directed all SHOs to take action against illegal foreigners so that no illegal foreigner could find shelter in the city. In this connection police has arrested dozens of illegal foreign residents including Afghans, Bangladeshi and Burmese for violation of Foreign Act.

Contrary to the law which clearly says that “A police officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police may call for the information about the ownership or title of a rented premises or a hostel from any relevant office, body or authority maintaining record of rights, transfer deeds or other title documents”. However, the police, acting traditionally, found an opportunity to make money and started arresting people from the streets who are later released after paying bribe amounting to Rs 1000 to Rs 10,000.

The residents of Malir, Gulistan-e-Juhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Landhi, Baldia Town, Orangi Town, Akhtar Colony, Qayumabad, Qaidabad, Shah Latif Town, Shah Faisal Colony and other areas are constantly complaining about illegal actions of police.

According to the law “A police officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector may, subject to a reasonable notice and for the purposes of this Act – (a) inspect a rented premises, hostel or hotel; and (b) obtain necessary information from the relevant documents and persons including landlord, tenant, manager, guest or property dealer”.

“This Act was meant to ensure no foreigner can avail residence but the police is checking and enquiring owners who had rented out their houses decades ago to legal residents. Besides no campaign was launched prior to the implementation of law for the information of house owners”, complained a resident of Qaidabad.

It is pertinent to mention that the prime target of police are majority Pashto speaking areas of the metropolis.

DIG East Arif Hanif said that to ensure transparency in the police stations the vigilance team will visit on regular bases.