SHC gives provincial govt 6-week to draft new laws for police reforms

Karachi (Staff Report): The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday directed the provincial government to draft new laws for police reforms within six weeks.

The court heard a contempt of court petition against provincial chief secretary, Sindh police chief and others.

The petitioner’s lawyer argued that no replies had been submitted by the officials to the plea even after a passage of one and a half years.

Advocate General Salman Talibuddin informed the court that new laws pertaining to the police force had been drafted and sent to the cabinet for approval. He said that a further six weeks were required to get the draft approved.

At this, the court granted the provincial government six weeks to present new laws for police reforms.

Earlier, IGP Dr Syed Kaleem Imam had called for taking immediate and concrete steps for implementation of proposed police reforms, including devising a mechanism for redressing grievances of the people.

The proposed reforms also include bringing an improve­ment in investigation of cas­es by enhancing capacity of investigating officers (IOs).

The IGP’s directives came against the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s guidelines as it has taken cognizance of the police reforms in the country.

The IGP called for taking immediate steps to implement the proposed reforms.