PESHAWAR, April 20: Participants of a public forum on “Law and Order Situation in Mardan and Our Responsibilities” has urged the government to take concrete measures for improving security for everyone in the district. The forum was jointly organised by Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-N Awami National Party, Jamaat-i-Islami, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F at Town Hall, here on Wednesday.

Crux of the discussion at the forum was that bad law and order situation directly affects every citizen and is a major hurdle in development.

Participants from general public unanimously adopted five resolutions, asking the government to take immediate steps for addressing law and order problem in the district, make the District Public Safety Commission more open for effective public participation, take immediate action on public complaints and provide more resources to law enforcing agencies, if needed. The public forum called for special measures to provide protection to weaker segment of the society, that is, women, children and religious minorities.

Ms Mary Cummins, country director of NDI Pakistan, was present on the occasion while Mr Zafarullah Khan, executive director of the Centre for Civic Education Pakistan, was moderator of the forum.

Speaking on the occasion, District Naib Nazim Attaur Rahman said holding of a public forum by five political parties was a welcome step and they should also come forward and join peace committees at all levels. He assured them of full support from the district government.

Religious scholar Dr Muhammad Farooq Khan said that the law and order situation in the district was not satisfactory. He said some influential people gave protection to criminals for their petty personal interests. Law and order was problem of every citizen and member of the district council, provincial and National Assembly should sit together to thrash out effective strategy to address this problem of vital public concern, he added.

Former provincial minister and district President of the Pakistan Muslim League-N, Abdul Subhan Khan, said that provision of security to people was prime responsibility of the government.

He said faulty judicial and police systems were mainly responsible for the worsening law and order situation in Mardan district. He said elders of the area should try to settle minor dispute out-of-court through negotiations. This would reduce burden on the judiciary, he added. He said people should cooperate with police in pinpointing anti-social elements.

Sikandar Hayat of the ANP said that courts were not delivering justice. He said unnecessary delay in getting justice frustrates citizens and they take law in their hands as a reaction. This results in increase in crimes, he added.

Lady Councillor Nusrat Ara alleged that some police officials were hands in glove with criminals. She said because of lack of security people were reluctant to come to courts as witnesses. She called upon political leaders to set aside their differences and raise voice for improving security situation.

Muhammad Jamil of the Pakistan Peoples party said illiteracy, employment and unjust distribution of wealth were the main causes of increase in crimes.

JUI-F’s Anwar Kamal was of the view that the media could play a vital role by highlighting punishments and not crimes. He said the present system was faulty and urged the provincial government to implement the Hasba System as soon as possible.

Dr Syed Badshah of the Jamaat-e-Islami said peace was perquisite for development. He lauded the efforts of NDI for brining five political parties at one platform. He said that according to Islam, human life is sacred and all Muslims should follow this religious injunction.