The Sindh High Court on Monday issued a notice to Sindh chief secretary, home secretary, secretary Sindh Services, General Administration and Coordination department (SGA&CD), and others, to file comments on a petition seeking increase in salaries of Sindh police.
A division bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, was hearing a petition filed by Rana Faizul Hassan, a civil rights activist and general secretary of an NGO – United Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
In the petition, Rana submitted that the police personnel were facing an injustice, and were facing a step-motherly attitude; nevertheless, they always remain at the forefront in fighting terrorism and facing criminals. He added that around 181 police personnel lost their lives in the line of duty last year alone.
He said that low-rank staff, including inspectors and constables, risked their lives chasing and rounding up terrorists but higher officers end up taking all the credit. The petitioner said that the police personnel were facing hardships because of low salaries, adding that their salaries should be brought at par with those of Punjab police. He told the judges that officials that are higher ups in comparison get higher salaries along with other benefits and privileges.
The petitioner said that lower staff was also denied promotions for many years because of which many posts were lying vacant in the department. He alleged that only favourites were being promoted, and that too after huge bribes. Their appointments were made on the recommendation of senior officials without any merit.
The petitioner requested the court to order the authorities to increase the salaries of Sindh police and give them due promotions. The court was requested to issue directions for the government to appoint an honest retired judge as the head of Sindh Public Service Commission. The petitioner prayed the court to direct the government to provide free education, medical facilities to Sindh police and their families.
