Draft of Police Act-2019 to be finalized by May 15: Advisor

KARACHI: Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh on Information, Law and Anti-Corruption, Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that the Select Committee constituted on the New Police Law will finalize its draft by May 15, which will be presented in the Sindh Assembly in its next sitting.

He said this while briefing media persons about the Committee decision at Sindh Assembly on Tuesday, said a statement.

The Advisor was flanked by Chairman of the Select Committee/Minister Agriculture Muhammad Ismail Rahoo, Minister Local Government Saeed Ghani and Minister Energy Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh.

He said that the Committee has decided to recommend the formation of Public Safety Commission at Provincial and District levels to the Sindh Government in 60 days after enactment of the new police order from Sindh Assembly.

He said that Ismail Rahoo chaired the meeting of Select Committee held on Tuesday, which discussed the new police law adding that they were moving with excellence towards making effective policing system in the province.

The Committee also discussed matters to make police accountable, he added.

He said that the Committee under better strategy will meet on Wednesday for building consensus with opposition and create unanimity on the new police order.

He said that Inspector General of Police (IGP) was also invited by the Select Committee to know his opinion.

Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that civil society members, who had filed petition, have also been invited by the Committee.

He said that the civil society member opined that their basic intention for filing petition was for revival of 2002 police order and formation of Public Safety Commissions.

He said that it was mentioned in the terms of reference of committee to review the Police Order 2002.

He said that they were not in favor that absolute power rest with one person added that transfers and postings should be done with the consultation of Chief Executive of the province and police chief.

He said that transfer and postings of police in Punjab, KPK and Balochistan were done in consulation with Chief Ministers of the respective provinces.

To a question, he dispelled the impression that the Sindh Government wanted to keep the powers of police and added that powers will be transferred through the Public Safety Commission.

Responding to a question on the boycott of opposition, he said that TLP and MMA members in Sindh Assembly also announced to support the New Police Act while other opposition parties wanted to block the Government efforts for enacting effective police system in the province and nothing else.