Summary
Highlights
Kamran Adil explains the distinction between 'police,' referring to the organization, and 'policing,' which is a broader function performed by various institutions like food authorities and drug inspectors, each with investigative powers.
The discussion delves into the constitutional framework of police in Pakistan. The debate centers on whether police laws are a provincial or federal subject, referencing the 2019 Police Reforms Report. The 18th Amendment and its impact on the concurrent list and criminal law are also discussed.
An overview of the current provincial police laws, including the Police Order 2002 in Punjab, the KP Police Act 2017, the Sindh Police Act 2019, and the Balochistan Police Act 2011. The difference between these laws and their relation to the organizational structure of the police is clarified.
A detailed discussion on the amendments to the Police Order 2002 in Punjab, specifically the introduction and subsequent omission of the Organized Crime Unit (OCU) and the creation of the Crime Control Department (CCD). The reasoning behind these changes and their potential impact on crime fighting are explored.
Recent amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act are discussed, highlighting refinements in the relationship between police leadership and the provincial government, as well as the introduction of new accountability measures, including four types of inquiries for police transgressions.
The discussion shifts to the focus of amendments, questioning whether they are sufficiently addressing 'policing' issues, such as FIR registration and citizen interaction, rather than solely focusing on the 'police' organization. The importance of reforms to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC) is emphasized.
The conversation touches on the trend of criminalization across various sectors and its potential harm to the police structure. The dysfunctionality of the civil justice system and its impact on the increased use of criminal law are examined, referencing the World Justice Report 2024.