Eroding trust

IGP Sindh took an urgent action leading to the arrest of four cops and suspension from of service of another two

A few days back, cricketers Sohaib Maqsood and Amir Yamin took to X to recount their unpleasant experience with the Sindh police on the highway. The two cricketers of international repute, travelling on the Sindh motorway for the first time, were appalled by the behaviour of police officials who stopped their vehicle and demanded a hefty bribe. Even though the IGP Sindh took an urgent action that led to the arrest of four cops and suspension from of service of another two, that is not going to help much in the context of police’s reputation in the province.

The fact is that the residents of Sindh have lost confidence in the department and tend to refrain from seeking assistance from the police. Sindh police’s frequent involvement in corruption, police brutality and misconduct toward the public has not only tarnished the department’s reputation but also fostered widespread defiance in the province. Within the last few months, numerous incidents involving top officials engaging in theft and bribery have come to light through the media. Meanwhile, residents have taken the law into their own hands by carrying firearms to deal with street criminals and miscreants. Victims of various crimes frequently resist cooperation in police investigations due to widespread mistrust. As a result, lawlessness in Sindh has escalated at an alarming pace, making indiscipline and violence a routine aspect of people’s daily lives.

The experience faced by the two well-known cricketers of the country serves as yet another reminder of the challenges faced by the public when interacting with law enforcement personnel in the province. When the police, who are supposed to be the guardians of the public, behave in such a manner, there is little hope for improvement in any other aspect of society. All stakeholders in the province must take responsibility for addressing the deterioration of law enforcement in Sindh and initiate a comprehensive overhaul of the police to restore discipline and integrity. It is essential to focus on these improvements instead of pointing fingers at one another.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2023.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.