Fighting in the ranks

In this situation, the police force needs a leader who unites the groups into one and gives the entire force hope.

Like any other field of work, professional jealousies are rampant in the Sindh police department. But unlike other professions, the repercussions of this infighting may lead to fatal consequences for the police personnel and the residents of this province. According to a news report, there are roughly four internal groups within the police who swear allegiance to their respective patrons. One group supports the present city chief while another one wants him removed and replaced by another officer. The third and fourth police groups are being led by ranker police officials and senior PSP officials, respectively.

The consequences of these differences within the Sindh police force are dangerous for Karachi. The city is facing multiple threats to its law-and-order situation from armed groups belonging to banned organisations, armed wings of political parties, and various drug and gambling gangs. In this situation, what is needed is a strong police chief who can mobilise the law enforcers into taking much-needed action against these groups. In reality, what is happening is that there is a police force being led by different officers, most of whom do not get along, and who end up leading the force in opposite directions. As a result, the already weakening police force is further divided and this lack of a clear strategy in the ongoing Karachi operation creates ideal grounds for criminals to continue to operate.

These differences within the police force also expose the shortcomings of the police department, its hiring criteria, the political patronage it allows and the vested interests at work. When political parties are able to decide how many of their supporters and sympathisers are able to join, the department is, by default, divided along political lines. This also has consequences for the overall morale of the police force, which has come under attack nearly every day since the year began. In this situation, the police force needs a leader who unites the groups into one and gives the entire force the hope and courage to go on.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th,  2014.

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