Sindh Assembly. PHOTO: FILE
Sindh Assembly on Thursday amended the Revival of Police Order 2002 Bill 2019 to ensure close coordination with Inspector General Police and giving him more powers as compared to previous bill that was passed on May 18.
The amendments were made after the Governor of Sindh had returned the law passed by assembly on May 18, with certain objections asking the house to reconsider the bill. The opposition members however staged a token walkout out and opposed the amendments in the bill. The seriousness of the leader of the opposition can be gauged form the fact that he left the session even without taking part in the legislation. Only the members from Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) were present in the house who also proposed a few amendments which were rejected with majority votes of treasury benches.
Sindh cabinet approves amendments to recently-passed police law
In the previous law, which created a controversy and governor refused to give his assent, the chief minister was given all powers to appoint DIGs and SSPs in the districts. Apart from this, the provincial and federal government had been given full authority to "repatriate" IG before expiry of his three years terms. "The provincial government may repatriate or the federal government may on its own accord recall, IGP," said the bill passed on May 18. But now it has been changed.
The latest amendment in clause 12 of the bill says "The provincial government or federal government may for compelling reasons, in consultation with each other, repatriate or recall, the inspector general of police."
It means, neither Sindh nor federal government alone can send IGP packing. The consensus on this issue is mandatory.
In the earlier controversial draft that gave chief minister final authority to post the DIGs and SSP in the province, said, "IGP shall propose three names to CM for the post of deputy inspector general (DIG) and SSP as the case may be and CM shall approve one from the three nominees for the posting". The amended law however says "IGP shall in consultation with the chief minister post a DIG and SSPs, as the case may be. In case, the CM and IGP, after a process of meaningful consultation don't reach any consensus, the IGP shall process three names to CM who shall approve one of them for posting as DIG and SSP."
Earlier, the IGP had not power to even appoint deputy superintendent police (DSP) and he had to consult CM on it, but now this clause has been amended giving full powers to IGP to take the decision.
In Police Order 2002, which was implemented in General Parvez Musharraf tenure, there was provision of "Criminal Justice Coordination Committee". But a few days ago, when Sindh government revived this law it deleted this provision. Now this clause has been revived making it part of the amended law. Moving this amendment, minister for parliamentary affairs, Mukesh Kumar Chawal said, "We are making these committees at district level."
Select committee reviews Police Order 2002
The district and sessions judge of each district will head this committee with SSP, district probation officer, district prosecutor, district parole officer, president of district bard association, district women development officer and district health officer as members. The committee in each district will review the operation of the criminal justice system and work towards the improvement of the system. It will also promote understanding, cooperation and coordination in the administration of the criminal system and exchange the information.
Sindh Chief Minister while speaking on this law called it "extra ordinary" draft Sindh government has ever passed and said, "After these amendments we have not only addressed to governor's objections, but civil society members who had earlier filed the petition for empowerment of IGP have been taken into confidence."
Earlier, parliamentary minister moved this law, opposition parties belonging to PTI, GDA and MQM demanded to forward the bill to select committee again to discuss different clauses. After three hours debate on this law, speaker passed the bill and adjourned the session announcing that CM will present budget today [Friday].
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2019.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ