NA panel rebukes police, CDA over failures

ISLAMABAD:

Members of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior on Wednesday strongly criticised the conduct of Islamabad Police, expressing serious concerns over alleged misuse of authority by certain officers.

The committee meeting, chaired by Raja Khurram Nawaz at Parliament House, opened with the confirmation of minutes from the previous session. However, member Agha Rafiullah refused to approve the minutes, declaring that he "could not endorse what is not true," and insisted that his department had no connection to matters related to the Nursing Council. He demanded that the interior minister or the Islamabad IGP be summoned to address unresolved complaints.

Agha Rafiullah voiced strong reservations about the behaviour of a particular SHO, accusing him of making illegal arrests, mistreating citizens, and lodging FIRs against victims. "If an SHO has powerful backing, no one questions him. Islamabad's policing system has become hollow," he said.

The Interior Secretary acknowledged the concerns and suggested that the IGP should be given an opportunity to respond. Rafiullah, however, complained that the IGP "is one of the most powerful in the country, but does not answer phone calls from public representatives."

Chairman Raja Khurram Nawaz directed that action be taken against the SHO, noting that he remains posted despite serious allegations. He also referenced issues at Parliament Lodges, saying the same officer had displayed misconduct there as well, even after the prime minister had issued a gazette notification related to the Nursing Council.

During the meeting, Sharmila Faruqui introduced the Islamabad Capital Territory Dowry Bill, which sought clarity and regulation on dowry-related provisions. The Law Ministry requested its deferment, which the committee approved. Sharmila also expressed alarm over the deteriorating condition of Parliament Lodges, stating that they had become unfit for women to reside in and that unauthorised individuals were living there. "If the CDA chairman does not address these complaints, I will keep raising this issue," she warned.