How does it feel to be back in Karachi after being away for about eight years? Did I expect to feel differently, some strangeness? Not in the least. After all, things have withstood a larger passage of time (like 60 years) and have steadfastly not changed. By change, I do not mean the physical appearance of things but moral and social improvement.
Previously, there were stories in the newspapers at regular intervals about the mugging of innocent people as they were going to town from the airport or news about bodies of unknown persons found riddled with bullets. There were other horror stories of bomb blasts and dacoities and of a guiltless man so badly beaten up while in custody that he had to have his arms amputated and people protesting against the police in front of the Chief Minster or Governor House by blocking roads and resultantly battened. News about targeted killings of security officials was also a routine matter.
But this time, it was a different feeling, albeit there were such news items of killing and maiming few from the metropolis and few from the interior, but not covering most of the space on the metropolitan and regional pages. Mainly there were political stories, those in power bristling with confidence and those out of power clamouring.
All this gave a sense of feeling that the Home Department of the government of Sindh has started moving in the right direction towards achieving the targets set for gaining the confidence of the people of the province by using the right tactics.
There is no doubt that the department continues to make progress under the guidance of its new management, headed by Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza. The department put public protection clearly at the heart of its work to counter terrorism, cut crime, provide effective policing and protect personal identity. The main aim of the department is to make people feel safe and confident at their homes and neighbourhoods, so they can live freely and contribute to the society and prosper in their daily lives.
The notable achievements of the Sindh Home Department include:
-- The number of offences brought to justice continues to rise, although still needed to meet its future targets.
-- Police performance continues to improve in a number of areas, most notably in investigating crime and controlling the law and order situation in Karachi-the capital of the province and the economic hub of the country.
-- Public confidence in the police continues to increase, albeit, a lot has to be done in this regard but it is improving day by day
-- Escapes from prisons remain low and prisoners are being taken care of in a manner that they may get a chance to become better citizens in their future lives
-- The drug strategy also continues to improve as drug trafficking continues to decline as a result of strong measure taken by the Home Department
-- Small crimes like snatching of mobiles, money and jewellery from the ladies while driving on the road, decreasing gradually, attributable to the steps taken by the Home Department, especially by banning pillion riding in the city, although initially the decision remained under severe criticism from various corners, yet many in the metropolis now believe that it was unavoidable to control the sharply increasing crimes expressed above without taking such decisions at the right time.
Since the new management has taken charge, crime levels have fallen and the numbers of offences brought to justice have risen, the total number of the target recorded crimes (domestic burglary, vehicle crime and robbery) was reduced by 30% between 2008 and 2009.
The performance of every force in 2008-09 was above the minimum required in dealing with both reducing and investigating crime. Performance of police force has significantly reduced the performance gap between the best and worst performing forces; and significantly increased the proportion of time spent on front-line duties.
The department is continuously striving to work with partners and public at local and national level to cut crimes, especially violent and drug-related crimes and to lead visible, responsive and accountable policing. The department has also taken a lot of measures to help people keep their business and homes safe.
Gun-related crime kills, maims and intimidates, and is frequently linked to gang activity and the illegal drug trades in the province. Contrary to the public perception, the overall level of gun crime in the province, especially in Karachi, is very low. To reduce it further, the Sindh government has strengthened the law by making it an offence to possess a real firearm or even imitation firearm in public without legal authority. People1convicted of possessing an illegal firearm, will be sentenced for more then five years. The Home Department is also trying to cut off supply of firearms into the province by tightening security on import routes.
Robberies (including muggings and snatch theft) are the most common street crime. Now the police department has been trained to use the resources in the areas that account for the majority of street crime. Last year, thousands of mobile phones were stolen but now the Home Department is working hard with mobile phone industry to help make stealing phones less profitable. With this initiative of the Home Department, major mobile networks have set up systems to ensure that all stolen mobiles are blocked within 48 hours, making them completely useless.
Most vehicle crime is opportunistic and, therefore, preventable. The Home Department has also got success in reducing vehicle crimes in recent year, the vehicle crime in the province has been steadily falling. The Anti-Car Lifting Cell has been made more effective.
The modern police service is a varied multi-layered, responsive institution to ensure the safety of the people. The Home Department works with the Inspector General of Sindh Police, Capital City Police Officer of Karachi, District Police Officers and other police authorities to manage the police force in the province.
Some of the indicators of the performance of Sindh Home Department are that first of all law and order problem remained in control, especially on religious occasions (except the tragedy that took place on Ashura). Large-scale national and international exhibitions held at regular intervals at Expo Centre, Karachi. There is significant improvement in the law and order situation of the most affected town of Layari. With effective check and balance, a clear decline in the street crimes is another most important performance indicator.
Many foreign students of Madaris in the province, who were living here without the necessary documents, have been repatriated. Another positive initiative, taken by the Home Department to direct the real estate agents not to sell any home, flat or plot to the foreigners was the much needed and right step to curb terrorism. Now when the country is facing the intense battle of terrorism, the percentage of suicide and terrorists' attacks as compared the other provinces is another performance indicator and proves that how effective security measures have been adopted by the Home Department.
Finally, the concept with which the Home Department always tries to stick to help the people of the province. It has already started showing urgency about the public good. In life, one finds that there are many demands based on emotions but the most important thing is to get your priorities rights. Similarly, there might be some decisions, taken by the Home Department hurting the emotions of many, but certainly they know their priorities very well.
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