KARACHI, April 24: Nepotism and other corrupt practices in the Sindh police are the main factors affecting the present government’s efforts in controlling the law and order situation in the province.

This was stated by Sindh Home Adviser Waseem Akhtar while speaking to the members of Site Association of Industries (SAI) at a meeting on Monday evening.

Without putting the police force on the right path the desired results cannot be achieved, Mr Akhtar said adding that the Sindh government had requested President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to post an IGP from Sindh.

The adviser said that even today the spirit of the Police Act of the British era was evident in the police department although a new modified act had been given to the police department.

He said that it was very sad that the police was not serving the public but pleasing politicians, feudal lords and their bosses.

Mr Akhtar deplored that a number of police officials particularly in the interior of Sindh were just serving landlords and ignoring law of the land.

He said that the performance of the department could not be improved without the adoption of a transparent system based on pure merit. The adviser said that in order to improve the training standards of the police force, he had requested professors of the University of Karachi to impart training to the department on modern lines.

On the occasion, the SAI members expressed concern over the strength of police personnel in the area. The adviser ordered the Site TPO to establish 10 new police pickets with wireless sets.

Imran Shaukat, leader of the Site Association informed the adviser that he was in close liaison with TPO SITE Javed Akbar Riaz for maintaining law and order in the industrial areas.

“He is introducing the policing system in each important lane on self-help basis and building police check posts. Police personnel will remain available round-the-clock and keep an eye on unscrupulous elements,” he said.

The expenses to be incurred to maintain such posts will be provided by the industries situated in the lane, Mr Shaukat said.

Mr Shaukat also requested the adviser to get the SITE Crime Monitoring Cell (SCMC), running under the patronage of Sindh governor for almost a decade, notified officially.

The home adviser appreciated the plan and assured the industrialists of all possible help to implement the same. He also directed the TPO to get the SCMC notified after completion of all the required formalities.—PPI