IG briefs standing committee on Sindh’s law and order situation

Sindh police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon on Tuesday briefed the provincial assembly’s Standing Committee on Home about the law and order situation, efforts to curb street crime and the ongoing operations in the Kutcha areas.

The meeting was chaired by the committee’s Chairperson Faryal Talpur. Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, the additional chief secretary for home, and all the additional IGs, DIGs and district SSPs were also present on the occasion.

IG Memon said kidnappings in the Kutcha areas have taken the form of honey traps, but the police are vigilant to protect the people. He also thanked the provincial government for providing the police modern weapons.

He shared details of absconding and wanted criminals, and the crackdown on tinted windows, blue lights, fake and fancy number plates, along with the efforts to enhance the Counter Terrorism Department’s capabilities.

He said that 40 toll plazas under the S4 project have been equipped with CCTV cameras to combat crime. He also informed the meeting about the online verification of citizens’ data, the issuance of driving licenses, e-tagging, and search and hotel check-in apps.

He confirmed that the Safe City project has entered its first phase. He also requested hiring 400 prosecutors, and highlighted the importance of rehabilitation centres. Replying to a query, he explained that FIR data is reported, and it can be compared with the data of the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee. Responding to another question, he said the Internal Accountability Bureau, headed by an additional IG, investigates and identifies complaints against police misconduct.

He also clarified that convoys are no longer used on Kutcha roads. He said that 485 police stations receive budgets, with financial authority held by the respective SHOs. The allocated budgets are also audited, he added.

The police chief said tagging of absconders and fugitives requires court permission. He also said that 31 police stations in Sindh are being repaired, with plans to repair 50 more. Complaints against the police can be reported at 1715, he added.

He said steps are being taken to strengthen the Madadgar 15 police. He also stressed the need for legislation to prevent domestic disputes and conflicts. He also pointed out that 30,000 police officials were on polio duty.

Faryal asked for the salary details of police employees by pay scale, emphasising that the police are a frontline force, soldiers who sacrifice their lives and return as heroes. Increasing their salaries is the need of the hour, she said.

Replying to a query, Lanjar said the government has provided health insurance cards, but housing is also necessary. The government aims to increase police salaries, and the recent hike was due to the orders of President Asif Ali Zardari, he added.

Faryal commended the progress, and made the assurance that this is just the beginning, as more government support would be provided to the police department. Standing committee member Sohail Anwar Siyal said the cameras installed under the S4 project should detect all the occupants in vehicles, and the details of absconders and wanted individuals should be shared with all the districts. Those who have passed away should be removed from the list, he added. Faryal appreciated the comprehensive briefing by the IG, and assured of full support from the government to the police department. She said narcotics would be discussed in the next meeting.