KARACHI, Aug 12: Speakers at a seminar have stressed the need for maintaining close coordination between police and citizens for good governance, improving image and enhancing skills of police, and creating awareness of law and fundamental rights in citizens.

The seminar on ‘Good Governance and Community Policing’ was organised by NGOs Shehri and CBE (Citizens for a Better Environment) in collaboration with Friedrich Naumann Foundation here on Saturday.

Naila Ahmed of Shehri was the moderator of the seminar where key speakers were TPO Site Town Javed Akbar Riaz, Justice (r) Majida Rizvi and Khatib Ahmed. Police officers and others also attended the seminar.

Javed Akbar Riaz told the seminar: “In establishing rule of law, there are always hardships and hurdles, but there should be transparency in the deputation and transfer of police personnel. Increasing transparency in any governmental department will result in lowering corruption rate.”

He said lack of good governance was the major problem for third world countries, and urged SHOs to assign duties to their subordinates keeping in view their capability and after taking them into confidence. He said there should be accountability with regard to police personnel’s performance, adding that it was also duty of both citizens and police to control crime in society.

He said that the Madadgar 15 service was being sponsored and it was an excellent example of community policing. “An ordinary person often remains unaware of his rights and privileges until he is victimised,” he regretted.

In reply to a question, Mr Riaz said a police task force was set up to curb criminal activity in a particular area or situation, and after the objective was achieved, the task force was dissolved. The role of such a task force can be assessed from their achievements and that of the Anti Narcotics Force is an example.

Justice (r) Majida Rizvi observed that attitude of police towards people was changing gradually, and stressed that respect was citizens’ basic right. She impressed upon police officials to be polite with people, especially the poor.

She also asked police officials to follow simple procedure in their handling of cases and develop confidence in citizens in order to improve police image.

Khatib Ahmed, an executive member of the Shehri, said that the objective of such seminars was to build a bridge between police and community and expose the ‘black sheep’ in police department so that crime could be eradicated from the society.

Spelling out the importance and state of ‘governance’ in the country, he said the situation in urban areas was much more complex, and the media, lobbyists, international actors, multinational corporations and other elements had to play an effective role in ensuring good governance and better decision-making to the benefit of ordinary citizens.

He said good governance had eight major characteristics. “It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, and the rule of law.” —PPI