KARACHI, March 27: In a attempt to improve the performance of police, the authorities are considering implementing a proposal whereby the city will be divided administratively into three police zones, each headed by a deputy inspector-general (DIG) of police.

Sources said a formal presentation of the proposal would be placed before the Sindh governor for approval in two or so weeks. They said the governor had in principal agreed to the proposal with the condition that it must not have any financial implications.

The sources said the proposal would be implemented in the next two or three months. They said the posts of DIG investigation-1, DIG investigation-2 and DIG operation would be abolished after the implementation of the proposal.

The sources said the heading DIG of the police zone would have under his administrative control the investigation and operation branches of the force and the zone headquarters. They said each zone would comprise six towns.

A senior police officer told Dawn that the proposal was aimed at improving the co-ordination between the investigation and operation branches, which are completely separated at present.

“The division of the city into three police zones would also improve police co-ordination with rangers, who also have three wings in the city”, he added.

The police officer said that the new administrative setup would enable the Capital City Police Officer to concentrate on broader policy issues such as reorganisation and restructuring of the police force.

The sources, however, said one of the objectives of the proposal was to improve the police performance in crowd management. They said at present the anti-riot force and the reserve police were not under the control of the town police officers and the reinforcement came from the police headquarters in case of any eventuality.

A source said three specialised units of the police – Anti-violent Crime Cell (AVCC), Anti-Dacoity and Robbery Cell (ADRC) and Anti-Car Lifting Cell (ACLC) – would either be placed under the administrative control of the three proposed zone police chiefs, or another DIG would be posted to head these units.