Police Reforms in Pakistan Mukhtar Ahmad Ali Centre

Police Reforms in Pakistan Mukhtar Ahmad Ali Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives, Pakistan

Background: Why Police Reforms? • • • Deteriorating public safety situation Widespread corruption Human rights violations Political victimization Weak accountability Inadequate availability of resources – Inefficient utilization of resources • Outdated legal and institutional framework

Political Context • Growing Demand – From within police – Civil society pressure • Serious Law and Order Challenges – Balochistan – NWFP • Increased International Interest – ADB support for access to Justice project – Support for counter-terrorism • Military Govt. ’s Struggle for Legitimacy

New Legal Framework • Office of Deputy Commissioner Abolished • Local Government Ordinance 2001 • Police Order 2002

Local Government Ordinance 2001 • Powers and Responsibilities Devolved to: – District governments – (Distt. Nazim) – Tehsil/ Town Municipal Administration (Tehsil/ Town Nazim) – Union Administration (Union Nazim) • Role of District Nazim in Law and Order • Union Public Safety Committees (UPSCs)

Police Order 2002 (I) • Goal – a professional, service oriented and democratically accountable police service • Duties and Responsibilities Clearly Defined • Public Oversight Bodies Established – National Public Safety Commission – Provincial Public Safety & Police Complaints Commission – District Public Safety and Police Complaints Commission

Police Order 2002 (II) • Mechanisms aimed at Insulating Police Service against Political Interference • Separation of Investigation from Watch & Ward • Role of District Govt. vis-à-vis Police: – Watch and ward/ law and order – Distt. Nazim writes a part of the ‘performance evaluation’ report of Distt. Police Officer – Distt. Council elects one-third members for District Public Safety and Police Complaints Commission – Oversight by Union Public Safety Committees • Annual Policing Plan

Implementation Challenges (I) • Public Safety Commissions not Functional or Effective – – Delayed establishment Non-cooperative police officers Limited capacity Limited public trust • Separation of Investigation from Watch & Ward – – Resistance by Distt. Police Officers Rivalry Under-resourced investigation branch People have to deal with more officers

Implementation Challenges (II) • Political Interference/ Autonomy – CM’s interference in appointments/ transfers – No security of tenure – Weak performance evaluation systems/ annual policing plans

Causes of Weak/ Slow Implementation • Lack of Ownership by Provincial Governments – Demanded amendments on some aspects – Chose not to implement others • Inter-departmental Differences or Weak Cooperation – (involving police, district management group, local govts. , judiciary) • Lack of transparency/ culture of secrecy • Weak Civil Society Oversight and Engagement • Weak Parliamentary Oversight

Way Forward • Ownership by political parties / provincial governments • Capacity Building of Members of Public Safety Commissions • Oversight by Parliamentary Committees • Stronger Civil Society Engagement • Transparency/ Public Information System