To maintain durable peace in the violence-hit province, the provincial police department needs a thorough overhaul by making the recruitments process free of political interference and their salaries increased to make bribery less attractive for the law enforcers.
This was discussed by lawmakers in the Sindh Assembly on Monday during a discussion over the law and order situation in Sindh on the adjournment motion of Law Minister Ayaz Soomro.
The PPP lawmakers held foreign immigrants responsible for congesting the city and disturbing its peace, while the MQM members pointed finger at the notorious People’s Amn Committee (PAC).
The speakers from the two sides, however, tended to agree that reforming the police department might be an effective way to maintain lasting peace in the violence-hit metropolis.
“The Criminal Justice System must be reformed through federal legislation,” Sindh Culture Minister Sassui Palijo demanded.
The PPP lawmaker said that she supports the Lyari operation but her supporters were questioning if there was a need for replicating the same option in other parts of the city too. “People ask us if there are no criminal elements in the rest of the city,” she added.
Tahir Qureshi of the MQM said the outlawed PAC was the greatest danger for the city’s peace.
“Due to the ongoing police operation, the Lyari residents can neither sleep at nights nor come out to get items of daily use during the day,” he added.
The MQM legislator said his party needs no certificate of loyalty to the Sindh province from anybody.
Later, PPP’s Parliamentary Party Leader Pir Mazahrul Haq submitted a privilege motion against the PML-F lawmaker Marvi Rashdi for her Friday’s outburst against him.
Marvi had accused the education minister of getting his wife promoted to the “cadre post” of additional secretary.
Responding to Marvi’s allegations, Haq told the house that his wife had passed the commission exam and that her appointment was purely on merit.
The motion was referred to the privilege committee of the Sindh Assembly as the session was adjourned for the day.