KOHAT, Sept 9: Speakers at a seminar held here on the role of Regional Criminal and Justice Committees called upon all sections of society to take part in addressing the law and order problem.

They said that controlling crime and following the principle of reward and punishment was the collective responsibility of people, including judges, parents, social workers, police and human rights organisations.

The seminar on Saturday was attended by the district and sessions judges, jail superintendents, district police officers, district prosecutors and probation officers from districts of Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Tank.

Kohat district and sessions judge Akhunzada Shahjehan Khan said that an impression had been created that only the judiciary was responsible for combating crime by awarding strict punishments which was totally wrong.

He said that it was the common responsibility of police, judiciary, jail staff and social organisations to change criminal thinking among people.

He said that only by punishing criminals could not make them good citizen but there were other requirements too for the purpose like addressing their financial and social problems and in some cases mental illness.

He said that police should ensure registration of proper FIR so that the investigation department could easily and swiftly solve the cases.

He exhorted the prosecution officers to work honestly and submit cases in time.

Karak DPO Mubarek Zeb said that there was immediate need to equip police with modern facilities and increase their annual budget according to their genuine needs.

SP (investigation) Faiz Mohammad Khattak said that police performance had increased after separation from police stations.