Security Challenges: PM asks Pak Police to Gear-up
By Aziz Malik ‘Pakistan Times’ Federal Bureau Chief

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday pointing at the security challenges facing the country asked the police to enhance their role in maintaining law and order and protecting lives of the citizens.

“Our internal security environment is beset with multidimensional challenges - terrorism, extremism, sectarianism, geo-political cross currents ... The police force has a pivotal role to play in meeting these daunting challenges,” the Prime Minster said while addressing the passing-out parade of Assistant Superintendents of Police under the 33rd Common Training Programme at National Police Academy.

The Prime Minister said internal security was critical, not only for territorial integrity but also for the country’s socio-economic progress.

He said maintaining law and order and protecting the life and property of citizens was the prime responsibility of the State.

He termed the internal security a must for attracting foreign capital and benefitting from the opportunities of globalization.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said in the post 9/11 scenario, Pakistan had become the focus of global attention.

He said while supporting the international effort against terrorism, Pakistan continued to pay a very high price in terms of losses to its security forces.

He also mentioned the services of law enforcing personnel who were martyred in fighting the terrorists, thus bearing a testimony to the country’s unwavering commitment to the cause of global peace and security.

“We must salute the courage, resilience and sacrifices of police officers and men who are engaged in the noble task of maintaining law and order in the face of heavy odds,” he said.

Prime Minister Aziz said devolution and police reforms were the cornerstone of the government’s overall agenda of improving governance in the country.

He said the Police Order 2002 was promulgated to introduce a modern policing system capable of meeting the gruelling challenges of law enforcement in the current environment.

He mentioned the provision of substantial resources for augmenting manpower, equipment, logistics and training of the police force.

“It is now for police officers to translate these reforms and resources into positive outcomes for improving law and order, fighting crime and above all, providing relief to the common man.”

The Prime Minister said police as the implementing arm of law should believe in working for fairness and social justice.

“Police as the cutting edge of the legal system must ensure protection of the socially weak, guard agaisnt discrimination and demonstrate good conduct and fair-play in dealing with all citizens, rich and poor alike,” he said.

To the outgoing graduates, the Prime Minister said passing out ceremony was the beginning of their long and ardous professional journey, and urged them to show highest level of devotion, determination and professionalism.

“Transparency, efficiency, integrity and professionalism, are the attributes which need to be the hallmark of your conduct and performance,” the Prime Minister told the graduates.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said to achieve the goals of institutional strengthening and good governance, it was important to enforce reform agenda for their quality, morale, security and accountability of public services.

He regretted that unfortunately the image of police at times suffered due to the behavior of individual officers at various levels, adding that it could be improved through their quality training.

“It is essential to address this aspect through quality training involving sensitization of the police to the necessity of fair and courteous behavior towards the citizenry.”

He said the police should be guided by the single-minded and selfless pursuit of public welfare.

“If we rise above personal temptation and make public service our goal post, we will earn the respect and confidence of the people and make our country great, strong and invincible,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister announced one billion rupees for the National Police Academy. For the police constables, he announced provision of 10 vehicles for the sole responsibility of picking and dropping them on their duties.

Of the Academy

Commandant National Police Academy Muhammad Yaqub told the audience that three cadets from Punjab, six from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and two each from Sindh, NWFP and Balochistan underwent the 74-week training at the academy.

He said the academy also gave training to police officials from friendly countries including 65 from Afghanistan and 16 from Maldives in the past.

Earlier, the Prime Minister reviewed the march past of police personnel in platoon formation and took general salute. Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Sherpao and Minister for Science and Technology Nouraiz Shakoor were also present.

He gave away prizes to the officers for their outstanding performance. The All-Round ASP award was given to ASP Tauseef Haider, while ASP Faisal Abdullah Chaachar was given three awards for best parade, discipline and physical training.●