The commissionerate system will not be rolled back, and unlike the local bodies system that can be changed to make it more effective, it is inflexible and cannot be altered, said Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah on Saturday.
Addressing the media after a high-level meeting at the New Sindh Secretariat, he said the district government system imposed by a dictator was above the constitution.
“The commissioners and deputy commissioners would be responsible to implement and make the system a success. The police will work under the deputy commissioners of the districts and will be responsible for maintaining law and order.”
Earlier, the chief minister presided over a meeting of the province’s commissioners, deputy commissioners (DCs), deputy inspector generals (DIGs) and senior superintendents of police (SSPs).
The meeting was also attended by provincial ministers Pir Mazharul Haq, Agha Siraj Durrani, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Manzoor Wasan, Ayaz Soomro, Sindh Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas, Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Wajid Ali Durrani, Planning and Development (P&D) Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Ishaque Lashari, Home ACS Waseem Ahmed and provincial secretaries.
Addressing the administration, Shah stressed the need to work hard in the light of the recent legislation for the revival of commissionerate system and police procedure laws. He was of the view that the recent laws passed by the assembly reflect the aspiration of the people and all the officers have to protect and promote the policies of the government in letter and spirit.
“The poor masses have been neglected for long and it is the administration’s responsibility to work for the solution of problems confronting the common man. The government has to complete the objectives of the party’s manifesto within the two remaining years of its tenure.”
Clarifying that under the constitution, there are only two governments, federal and provincial governments, and no district government, the chief minister directed the commissioners, DCs, DIGs and SSPs to execute their authority and perform duties strictly under the law.
He maintained that the DCs and SSPs should jointly work for the country’s betterment, development and rule of law within their jurisdictions so as to implement the writ of the government in the best interest of the country.
Shah said the administration officers are eyes and arms of the government and should ensure that people are provided relief and justice.
Regarding the situation during Ramazan, the provincial chief minister said that assistant commissioners have been authorised to fix the prices of essential commodities. He added that the provincial government through its Law Department has moved the federal government for granting magisterial powers to the officers.
Earlier, Sindh Senior Education Minister Haq, Law Minister Soomro, Home Minister Wasan, Finance Minister Shah maintained that the old laws revived were ‘necessary’.
They stressed that the revived system has to made successful and hoped that all officers will devotedly follow and implement polices and directives of the government. “The government’s writ should be established with the backing of law and good results with prompt law and order ensured,” they added.
The officials were directed that educational institutions are essential for development and prosperity of any nation and the properties of old educational institutes should be protected from land grabbers, drug mafia and other anti-social elements.
Assuring the chief minister that administration and police will work with dedication for implementing the government’s directives and policies, Sindh Chief Secretary Abbas and IGP Durrani maintained that changes and amendments adopted in recently passed laws will be followed as per law and officers will deliver the best for upholding the rule of law and providing relief to the people.
Later, provincial secretaries, commissioners, police DIGs, DCs and SSPs put forth some suggestions and proposals for improvements in the system.
‘Commissionerate system cannot be changed, will not be rolled back’
