APROPOS the report ‘Concerns raised over revival of Police Order…’ (May 12). The demand of some retired inspectors general that the chief ministers should abdicate their traditional powers of appointing district superintendents of police and other subordinate officers in favour of IGs reflects a mindset that rejects the control of elected government over institutions and policies set out in Police Order 2002.

Gen Musharraf abolished the deputy commissioner’s post and created the district nazim set-up, giving it powers to lure PPP and PML-N electables to create what came to be called the king’s party. The police officers who framed the Police Order 2002 are behind the present campaign. No political government can survive in Pakistan without complete subordination of a district SP.

The superintendence of area police (like our districts) by elected public representatives is an established practice in all credible police systems. In the United Kingdom, there are elected police and crime commissioners (PCCs).

In the two largest police forces in London and Greater Manchester these powers are vested in the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), headed by the respective mayors.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Scottish parliament and Northern Ireland assembly have designated the cabinet secretary for justice (a cabinet member) and the minister for justice in Northern Ireland respectively to “hold the police chief constable (equivalent to our district SP) to account, appoint and dismiss him.” In the United States, the police chief in any area is subject to effective supervision of an elected mayor under the same principles.

It distresses me that in 17 years since the promulgation of Police Order 2002, the PSP mandarins have not even marginally changed the ‘thana’ culture of the police and corruption. High-handedness and arrogance still hold sway in the service. Rather officers have only accumulated powers for themselves. Please deliver before you ask for more.

Rafi Pervaiz Bhatti
Lahore

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2019