ISLAMABAD, Aug 7: The cabinet on Wednesday approved the Police Order, 2002, which provides for separation of investigation from watch and ward to ensure transparency in the investigation process.

According to an official announcement, the new law will be promulgated on Aug 14, 2002, replacing the Police Act of 1861. The Police Order will ensure the administration of speedy justice, it said.

The Police Order was approved with the proviso that the provinces can make such amendments to it, after the approval of the federal government, as required by their respective circumstances.

Presiding over the meeting, President Gen Pervez Musharraf expressed satisfaction over the “historic decision” and said that the promulgation of the Police Order would transform the police from a “repressive entity to an accountable and responsive setup” which would be enjoying the confidence and trust of people and the government.

National Reconstruction Bureau chairman Tanvir Naqvi apprised the cabinet of the salient features of the Police Order. He said a consultation process was initiated about a year ago in which the ministry of interior, secretaries of the government, media and people offered their comments and views which had been included in the Police Order.

The NRB chief appreciated the provincial governments’ contribution to the finalization of the Police Order, and said their suggestions had proved useful.

The role of the Nazims has been defined in the new law in relation to the police. ‘District Safety Commission’ will be the focal point to redress people’s complaints about the excesses of the police at the district level. Appreciating the recent success of the police in the arrest of terrorists, the president referred to the killing of some terrorists suspected of attacking a school in Murree in which six people had been shot dead on Tuesday.

The efficiency of the police, the president said, was due to the training and the equipment recently provided to them as part of the programme aimed at modernizing the police in terms of training and latest equipment.

The meeting was attended among others by governors and provincial law ministers.

The government has allocated Rs10 billion for the police reforms which would be spent in three to five years on training of police personnel, procurement of equipment and development of infrastructure.

The appointment of police officers after August 14 will be considered a tenure post and would not be transferable to any other department.

The National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) bulldozed more than 350 objections of the provincial governments and the federal ministries to incorporate provisions in the police ordinance, 2002 , which infringe upon civil rights and liberties by giving unbridled powers to the police.