A one-on-one: With no investigation team or equipment, DIG Kharal reduces crime in Sukkur

Officer has formed special task force for karo-kari cases headed by a female ASP.

SUKKUR: Even without formal investigation officers and a lack of equipment, DIG Sharjeel Kareem Kharal has reduced the crime rate in Sukkur, The Express Tribune has learnt.

After taking over as Sukkur DIGP on September 15, 2013, Kharal's top priority was to curb criminal activities. The statistics speak for themselves on Kharal's success as the chief law enforcer of the Sukkur range. In 2013, only two kidnapping cases were reported and both the victims were rescued. Meanwhile, there were no kidnappings in 2014.



In 2013, 157 encounters took place between criminals and the police while over 141 encounters have taken place in the first three months of the current year. Apart from this, 110 bandits were arrested in 2013, while 135 were arrested in 2014 so far. Moreover 1,045 absconders were also arrested in the first three months of the current year.

His crime-fighting strategy has not been easy to implement though. "Our investigations side is weak and we are in desperate need of good officers," said DIG Kharal. "All the good officers choose not to become part of the investigations team because there are no facilities."

An investigations wing was formed under the Police Order 2002, though it is nearly dormant because the required facilities are not available, he said. "The most basic facility of forensics is not available, which is why we have to get it from Larkana when needed," he said. Sukkur range includes four districts - Sukkur, Khairpur, Naushero Feroze and Ghotki.

"What's even more important is that investigations officers are given independent command to show their performance," Kharal added. Through the Police Order 2002, the investigations wing was separated from the operations wing, which according to the DIGP, was a good move. The order was revoked by the Sindh Assembly in 2011 and both wings were given under the control of one officer.

The investigations wing now lacks good officers and facilities. The officers choose operations side more as the investigations side is less charming with fewer facilities.

On karo-kari

When his attention was diverted towards karo-kari cases, Kharal admitted that Ghotki tops the list. "It is true because Ghotki district has the most rural population." According to him, the district is mostly dominated by tribal influences, therefore, such incidents are rampant. He said that only 22 per cent of the accused involved in karo-kari cases were arrested in 2013.

He pointed out that most women, who are killed after being declared 'kari' are killed for other reasons such as usurping property or re-marrying. Killing a woman in the name of honour is neither permissible nor allowed by the law of the land, he added.

Kharal admitted that some police officers take honour-killing cases lightly. "It is wrong. Any murder is a murder whether committed for karo-kari or any other reason." He said that  he has formed a special task force, headed by ASP Erum Awan, to deal with karo-kari cases.

Kharal promised that not a single accused will go scot-free. "It is the duty of the police, the media and the community to create awareness among the rural people to respect women because Islam gives equal rights to both."

On kidnapping

In most kidnapping cases, victims are only released after payment of ransom, Kharal revealed. "In such cases, our first priority is to ensure the safety of the victim," he said. "So we don't rush." He said that they need SIM locators to nab the kidnappers.

What about police officers brokering deals between the kidnappers and the families of the kidnapped persons? Kharal said that the police officers do not broker such deals directly but rather seek help from middlemen with the consent of an influential person in the area.

On jirgas

"I am not against the spirit of jirgas because they are held to resolve old disputes between two warring parties," said the DIG. He did, however, condemn trading women in jirgas. "It is simply intolerable to barter innocent women to resolve disputes," he said. "As a police officer, it is my duty to take notice of such jirgas, as they are banned by the apex court."

A go-getter: Kharal - a humble officer 

For the residents of Sukkur, DIG Sharjeel Kareem Kharal is a humble officer, who knows how to lend an ear to their complaints.

He is considered very caring and considerate towards his subordinates. On the condition of anonymity, a subordinate told The Express Tribune that even though he takes good care of his subordinates, he is very strict with officers who do not deliver.

Since his posting as DIG in Sukkur, the crime rate has considerably reduced, due to his personal interest and strict monitoring. Kharal is very kind, especially to the lower staff working at his office, and often solves their personal problems, said one officer.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2014.