FROM terrorist attacks to deadly encounters with gangsters; from daily clashes with street criminals to hit-men associated with political groups, the Karachi police are passing through a bloody and challenging phase of their history.

Almost every day of this year, a policeman has been killed in the line of duty. Last year, more than 200 of them lost their lives. And while television anchors and politicians may wax lyrical about their bravery and courage, the unfortunate truth is that these “heroes” are not respected on the streets. In addition, many of their colleagues work in a manner that can hardly elicit any respect from the people.

In fact, the police are still a source of harassment, rather than protection, for the average law-abiding Karachi citizen. And the consistent threat to his life has not changed this reputation of the average policeman.

This is unfortunate because the police – more than ever – need the public’s support as they conduct operations against organised criminal gangs, extortion mafias and political parties’ hit-men.

Instead of winning over the people’s confidence, the police are now facing fresh allegations of carrying out extra-judicial killings, while the other decades-old complaints have not disappeared either.

Whether it is greasing the palm of a policeman late in night at a checkpost on a road or being hassled by a station house officer for registration of an FIR, almost every Karachiite who has come into contact with the police feels exploited.

A recent siege of the Iqbal Market police station in Orangi Town by local residents, including women and children, illustrates the level of anger among the people against the police.

“Every other day, policemen pick up a youngster randomly; he is released only after the payment of a heavy bribe,” said Anwar Alam, an Orangi Town resident and participant of the protest.

The demonstration turned violent and forced the policemen to fire into the air to disperse the angry crowd.

“We are tired of this practice. Should they be called police? Are they paid for committing crimes or to provide us security? With this attitude would they be ever able to fight terror and challenge criminals.” Mr Alam’s thoughts echo nearly every Karachiite’s perception about police.

Whether they are mugged at gunpoint or their house is robbed by bandits, people in the city generally avoid lodging a case, as they know they will then end up paying the police in addition to what they have lost already.

When Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced a “targeted operation” in Karachi in September, human rights groups took it as a step in the right direction.

They maintain, however, that without a change in the average policeman’s attitude and long-term institutional reforms, the desired results will remain a distant dream. They point out that no police initiative can succeed without winning the trust of the ordinary citizens.

“It needs long-term reforms,” said Zohra Yusuf of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). “There is no accountability mechanism in our police system and there is no one to hear the complaints against the policemen.”

She agreed that policemen did not enjoy the respect needed to enforce the law, adding that if the Police Order of 2000, which envisaged several forums to address complaints against the police, was enforced, things might improve.

“Every time policemen are attacked or killed by terrorists or criminals, the incident generates sympathy. But unfortunately it is short-lived,” said Ms Yusuf. “When it comes to the people’s personal encounters with police due to any reason, they hardly feel any sympathy or respect for the police.”