The provinces have been asked to present reservations, financial and administrative problems faced by them in the implementation of the Police Order 2002 and Public Safety Commission till February 10.
The Police Order was introduced in August 2002, replacing the archaic colonial Police Act of 1881, and was supposed to have been fully implemented in all the four provinces by September 2003. But it was enforced only in Punjab and that too partly.
Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, NWFP Chief Minister Muhammad Akram Khan Durrani, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousuf, Senior Minister of Sindh Aftab Sheikh, Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat, National Reconstruction Bureau Chairman Danyal Aziz and provincial police chiefs attended the meeting.
The president and the prime minister urged the chief ministers, concerned federal ministers, senior NRB officials and provincial police chiefs that irritants in the way of complete enforcement of the order be removed, taking into account the viewpoints of the provincial governments.
Under the order, public safety committees were to be established at the provincial and district levels to provide a de-politicised police service to the masses and to give the country an enduring and effective system for maintenance of law and order.
The meeting reviewed the status of implementation in detail and exchanged views on the administrative and financial problems, hindering the enforcement of the order in letter and spirit.
President Musharraf and Prime Minister Jamali said it was unfortunate that the nation had to live with the old police system for so long.
The nation must have a police that served them at the local level and not a force that worked under any influence, they said.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, NRB Chairman Danyal Aziz said that the provinces have been given time till February 10 to present their reservations, suggestions, financial and administrative problems for the implementation of Police Order and Public Safety Commission in their respective provinces.
He said that the Public Safety Commission, having effective check and balance on the police performance, would be fully implemented across the country by August 14, 2004.
The NRB chairman said that he gave a comprehensive briefing to a high-level meeting attended by President General Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, chief ministers of the four provinces, provincial chiefs of police departments and other high officials.
Danyal said he has presented the detail of the Police Order 2002, adding that the Public Safety Commission (PSC) should be a part of this system to monitor the working of police.
He said that after receiving the provinces proposals and reservations a meeting would be held to be presided over by Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, while there would be another meeting of all the chief ministers, police chiefs and other officials on February 20, which would be presided over by President General Pervez Musharraf to take final decision for effective implementation of Police Order 2002 and Public Safety Commission.
To a question, he said that the provinces have achieved success in the formation of District Public Safety Commission, but some explanations were still required, which would be provided before the next meeting.
He said the main purpose of the new Police Order was to change the colonial system of police with an effective and democratic system to run the system by the elected representatives.
He explained that the government has given Rs 3 billion to the provinces for the implementation of devolution process, but there were special funds to implement the Police Order 2002.
He said the political governments have been asked to furnish their requirements of financial and other technical aspects till the next meeting on February 10.