ISLAMABAD: “I have to face pressures because of your incompetence and accept responsibility for your failures. You must realise you will be answerable for your deeds on doomsday,” the interior minister said to police officials on Monday.

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan warned police to improve their performance or get ready to go home.

He was addressing police at his third meeting with police officials, aimed at inculcating a sense of responsibility in the force.

He emphasised the importance of depoliticising the police force and said the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) during political sit-ins in Islamabad, last year, had refused to perform duties. He rejected the claim that action had been taken because of their refusal to use force against protesters.

The minister said deserters face court martial and these top police officials deserted at a crucial time.

He requested top officials to not confine themselves to their offices and come out on the roads to assess performance of their force. He claimed the interior secretary had never transferred anyone in two years and challenged the officer to disclose to the media if he had ever asked them to take sides.

The minister complained that he found out about incidents from the media, while concerned officials remain ignorant. He referred to the reports of robberies on the Islamabad Club Road and the latest incident of firing in Jinnah Super Market.

He said the entire market witnessed the incident while the police remained ignorant. “I will take action against patrol teams which could not hear the sound of gunfire,” he said.

Chaudhry Nisar rejected the claim that there are not enough officials in the force and said they outnumbered the city’s residents. He said 750 police officials were being inducted while 2,000 anti-riot police personnel were being trained.

The minister promised performance-based incentives for honest officials. He asked police stations in urban areas to improve patrolling and not spare anyone who misbehaved with women or traders.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play