LAHORE, March 18: The main reason behind the deteriorated law and order was that courts and police had lost confidence of the masses, former governor Shahid Hamid said.

Speaking at a seminar organized by the Pakistan National Forum here on Monday, he suggested that the proposed police act must focus on reviving this confidence through an increased police-masses liaison. Otherwise, all reforms to improve law and order would fail.

Referring to army government’s failure in deweaponizing society, he emphasised that the rulers should frame new law only when it had machinery and will to properly implement it.

Rejecting the current police force as incapable of deterring terrorists, he said a new force should be organized which could preempt terror activities.

Mr Hamid chided the government for appointing a military officer in special courts instead of utilizing other ways and means in consultation with the lawyers’ community.

Former interior minister and PML (QA) leader Chaudhry Shujaat Husain said he had reservations on all policies of Gen Musharraf except the Afghan policy.

However, he opposed committing of atrocities on innocent Afghans, and added that he had talked to Gen Musharraf on the issue two weeks ago.

He regretted that the US administration had earmarked $48 billion for fighting terrorism but it was not offering the fund to alleviating poverty which, as the US research had found, was the main cause behind rise in terrorism.

Criticizing double standards of the US, he demanded defining the word terrorism. “Attack on Pentagon is terrorism but if any such incident happens in Pakistan it is not considered so,” he regretted.

About his reported controversy with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), he offered the government to hold an open forum against him and telecast the proceedings live so that all the people could know the factual position.

He also demanded that the government should broadcast his talks with Gen Talat, S.U. Baig and other PAC members recorded on a tape on the occasion.