KARACHI, May 13: The need for community policing, enhanced professionalism amongst the law-enforcement agencies and the judiciary by eliminating political and non-political interference was the consensus arrived at a seminar on targeted killing of professionals.

The seminar was convened by doctors of the JPMC and the CPLC here on Saturday and its recommendations were released on Monday.

The meeting was of the view that the curse of political inductees had blighted the Sindh police force and it was recommended that all selections be strictly on merit henceforth.

A plea for community-oriented policing was made, with all recruitments of the constables and officers from the areas that they are to serve, thus increasing the sensitivity and respectfulness that the community and police would have for each other.

It was also recommended that the police should be freed from escort duties by organizing proximity of jails and district courts.

With regard to intelligence gatherings and for improving the quality and level of intelligence operatives and to make all state intelligence assets available for anti-terrorist operations, it was suggested that a mechanism be established for continuous on-line coordination between all the intelligence agencies.

The weaknesses and deficiencies of counter-intelligence should be given special attention. It was also recommended that special courts should be made more effective, the Terrorist Court Act of 1975 be amended to place the burden of proof of innocence on the accused terrorist.

To prevent any misplacement of justice, any sentence thus awarded be confirmed by the superior courts.

Time limits should be placed for the completion of terrorism cases and selection of judges to the superior courts should be confirmed at hearings of a standing senate select committee, appointed for the purpose.

It was also recommended that status and benefit of judges be improved to attract a better quality of legal practitioner to the benches. The setting up of a judicial academy was also suggested.

Special court judges should be made secure by shielded identity along with witness protection programmes to eliminate the strong element of fear amongst those involved in terrorist crime hearings.