Additional IGP Investigation, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dr Ishtiaq Marwat has said that both police and public are equally responsible for peace and security in the society. Addressing the closing ceremony of Ulasi Police project, he said that reforms introduced in KP police are unprecedented and historic. He said that several significant reforms have been introduced in KP police, which have been institutionalised through KP Police Act 2017.
Asad Qaiser, Speaker KP Assembly and Arif Yousaf, Advisor to CM, KP on Legal Affairs also spoke during the event. The reforms, he said are aimed at improving the public services of police and are mutually beneficial for both police and the communities. While the police is largely reforming itself, the unnecessary criticism should be avoided and the Organization should not be criticised for the faults of individuals.
The project 'Ulasi Police' was an awareness and advocacy campaign undertaken by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) - as part of USAID Small Grants and Ambassadors' Fund Program - to strengthen the rule of law in KP province by promoting and disseminating the significant police reforms aimed at incorporating local communities' policing needs and international human rights standards.
The endeavour was aimed at tackling the trust deficit between the public and police, help KP police become an accountable and community-focused police force. Dr Ishtiaq Marwat said that as part of the ongoing reforms, the issues of behaviour and attitude of the lower rank police officials were under active consideration and being addressed through several capacity building initiatives. The culture of police in KP is traditionally different than other provinces; police in KP is friendly and enjoys good relations with the public. He said that the interventions like 'Ulasi Police' should also be extended to the southern parts of the province.
Speaking on the occasion, Advisor to KP CM on Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Arif Yousaf said that the KP police reforms also reflect the vision of provincial government to strengthen the institutions instead of individuals. He said that police reforms were aimed at promoting peace and justice in the society and offering benefits to the common citizens with community policing services. However, the co-operation of public is crucial for further improvements in this regard.
Speaker, KP Assembly, Asad Qaiser said that the provincial government had depoliticized the KP police to provide justice and empower the general public as manifested in the KP Police Act 2017. He added the core considerations for reforms were increased operational autonomy, accountability and transparency.