Staff Reporter

ISlAMABAD: Political parties should pledge to make police free from political influence as “Depoliticisation” of police is essential for good governance in Pakistan. As a key State institution responsible for maintaining law and order across the country, Police requires reform and strengthening. This was said by the experts at a roundtable discussion under the theme of “Police, Politics, and the People of Pakistan” hold by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) here on Thursday. The experts stressed on the importance of upholding and implementing the Police Order 2002. It was proposed that the Ministry of Interior should establish the National Public Safety Commission (NPSC) by notifying six Members of National Assembly (MNA) nominated by the Speaker National Assembly and also select six non-political members. Federal government should establish an independent Federal Police Complaints Authority (FPCA) as per Articles 97- 102 of the PO 2002. It was further suggested that the Police Act of 1861 should be repealed in Islamabad Capital Territory and replaced by the Police Order 2002. Similarly, for the Islamabad District, Public Safety Commission should be established under Chapter VII of PO 2002. There was an emphasis on the National Police Bureau to ensure that the National Police Management Board, comprising all the heads of the Federal and Provincial law enforcement agencies, meet at least twice a year for making recommendations on professional police matters. Furthermore, it was also recommended that Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police should adopt a metropolitan policing model by raising the level of basic police unit from a station to a division, headed by a Superintendent for public convenience and efficient management of professional police functions under the same head. Wazir Ahmed Khan Jogezai, Ex Deputy Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan, chaired the Roundtable while Dr. Shoaib Suddle, former Inspector General Police, Tasneem Noorani, former Interior Secretary, Rustam Shah Mohmand, former Interior Secretary, and Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President PILDAT, also spoke at the Roundtable.