ISLAMABAD: In a surprising move, a couple of senators from across the aisle on Monday joined hands to berate Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan for what they said was his failure to provide a better- equipped police to the capital city.

Senator Babar Awan indirectly accused the interior minister of running the Islamabad police in a highly unprofessional manner as its top boss, adversely affecting morale of the rank and file of the force. Senator Chaudhry Tanvir Khan of the ruling party wasn’t happy with the minister’s management of beggars in the streets of Islamabad.

To highlight the two issues, Senator Khan had moved a motion and resolution in the upper house which were taken up during the session.

Speaking on the occasion, Senator Awan claimed that it was undue depression which led to the recent death of Additional Inspector General (AIG) Asher Hameed. Demanding a judicial inquiry into the death of AIG Hameed, the PPP lawmaker said the officer had repeatedly been denied promotion.

Senators criticise interior minister for running the department in an unprofessional manner

“To get his due promotion, Mr Hameed had made repeated presentations before his top bosses. However, instead of addressing his grievances, the police officer was transferred to a far-flung district of Balochistan,” Senator Awan said. Following the death of Mr Hameed, his seniors were trying to sweep the whole issue under the carpet, he alleged.

“Under these circumstances, an officer will only commit suicide what to talk of giving performance on his assigned duties,” he said.

In his resolution, Senator Khan had stated: “This house recommends that the government should take effective steps to control the increasing number of child beggars in Islamabad and to make arrangements for their proper education.”

Another PPP Senator and former interior minister Rehman Malik said the issue had been there because of the involvement of the police and other elements. “They operate like a syndicate, which needs to be broken with full force and the issue should be taken care of through adequate legislation.” The menace needs effective deterrence.

Senator Nihal Hashmi said the spectacle of beggars at traffic signals showed the state of the country: whether it was progressing well and taking care of its children.

Senator Kalsoom Parveen said though at times even countries could be explained as beggars, the issue of child beggars was serious and must be addressed seriously.

It may be recalled that Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan soon after taking over the ministry had at a press conference said removing beggars from the streets of the capital city was one of his top priorities.

State minister for interior Mohammad Balighur Rehman said two squads of the police were currently deployed to check begging in the city. Only this year, 1,782 arrests have been made out of whom cases were filed against 17 beggars, whereas 208 children were sent to Edhi homes. The minister said some beggars were freed after warning and cases were filed against the habitual ones.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2016