Political interference in Punjab police, says SC

Notes department ‘intentionally’ deprived of training and powers

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court on Thursday noted that there was political interference in Punjab police, saying the department was “deliberately” deprived of training and powers, and stressed the need to impart training on police to improve the criminal justice system while hearing a case against the transfer and postings of police officers.

The top court dismissed a plea seeking reinstatement of former Punjab chief secretary Kamran Afzal.

A three-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial heard the case.

During the hearing, a detailed report on the transfer and postings was submitted by the authorities concerned of Sindh and Punjab.

The CJP remarked that according to the Punjab report, no inspector general had completed the one-year term since 2018.

He noted that the tenure of some IGs was only a month.

The top judge remarked that the tenure of IG was fixed for an effective leadership.

Punjab additional advocate general told the court that in 2017 the provincial cabinet had decided to change the police order.

However, he said, the IG could not give a briefing on the change in the police order.

The CJP asked whether political impediments were the reason for not having a briefing for the last six years.

He said that there was political interference in Punjab police and that the department was “deliberately” deprived of training and powers.

The top judge said that in a case, the court had to seek the assistance of (security) agencies for the recovery of girls who had been abducted for six years.

The police need training, he said.

Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the report submitted by Punjab did not mention the reasons for the removal of IGs.

He said the authority to make transfers lied with the executive, adding that they were accountable to people.

He asked whether an action was taken against anyone if a transfer was done on the basis of performance.

The CJP remarked that investigation officers neither had funds nor training, adding that police training was mandatory for improvement in the criminal justice system.]

The court dismissed a plea seeking reinstatement of former Punjab chief secretary, saying the case was of “individual nature” and was not in conformity with police case.

Later, the apex court adjourned the hearing of the case till the last week of March.