The Chief Justice being the chairman LJCP had constituted a Police Reforms Committee (PRC) consisting of serving and former inspectors general of police for formulating recommendations for police reforms. A steering committee headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa worked on implementation of the recommendations.
In his address, the Chief Justice emphasised on the rule of law and importance of an efficient criminal justice system in a society. He further stated that the police have a crucial role in protecting the right to a fair trial and in the prevention and investigation of the crimes.
He stated that an effective police force is one that is assisted by the community they serve as they are confident that justice will be done. He stressed that the existing criminal justice system urgently requires reform as a whole. Moreover, specially, up-gradation of the law for police governance and management is required to ensure a neutral, responsive, accountable and transparent police force.
He stressed that the police force can only function efficiently when they are given administrative, operational and financial autonomy. He further stated that the Police Reforms Committee was established with the objective of an independent and impartial police force and their recommendations are very useful which outline the duties of police officers, separation of investigation procedures and composition of the Commission to promote transparency.
He stated that by implementation of these recommendations, trust deficit between the police and public would decrease and a competent, efficient and responsive police force would be created.
The Chief Justice applauded the efforts and contribution of the members of the PRC who worked day and night to complete the report. The convener of Police Reforms Committee Afzal Ali Shigri, ex-IGP Sindh, stated that performance of police is directly linked to the delivery of justice and performance of judiciary and criminal justice system. He stated that in the past, a number of efforts have been made to improve the performance of criminal justice system; however, the present initiative is distinct as being initiated by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
He further stated that after the formation of Police Reforms Committee, intensive deliberations and discussion took place within the Committee and the report has been prepared containing feasible and practical proposals on matters like redressal of grievances and improving quality of investigation, etc.
Tariq Pervez, former DG FIA stressed upon professionally competent, highly accountable and operationally autonomous police. He stressed that effective public complaint redressal system is essential for police reform. The redressal system will have two tiers at the provincial level.
He stated that the investigation branch in police should be organised as a separate unit and best officers be posted in the investigation while this experience should be mandatory for promotions. The cost of investigation be enhanced and forensic support be provided to investigation teams.
He stressed upon the need for Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) system to lessen the burden on courts. Moreover, he stressed the Provincial Justice Committees (PJCs) may be made functional.
Dr Syed Kaleem Imam, Inspector General of Police Sindh, stated that Sindh Police have developed the complaint redressal mechanism up to district level. He further stated that the Sindh Police have revamped Karachi Police Investigation by posting good officers, investigation setups at town level have been enhanced and post of Additional IGP investigation has been created.
Moreover, 200 inspectors for investigation, 170 inspectors for law and 30 PDSPs with a career growth plan and TORs have been recruited. Moreover, the cost of investigation has increased and the curriculum models for forensic investigation have been developed.
In his introductory remarks, Secretary LJCP Dr Muhammad Raheem Awan stated that the LJCP Secretariat is assisting the Supreme Court of Pakistan in many public interest cases and similarly by virtue of directions of the CJP, it provided support for the Police Reform Committee with the ultimate aim of the creation of an efficient and professional police force to meet the security and law and order related challenges in the country.
He stated that the police are the most important part of the criminal justice system and it is the responsibility of the government to increase its responsiveness and professionalism in the police force.
Former IGP Dr Shoaib Suddle presented the vote of thanks and emphasised the improvement of policing in the country and active engagements of the governments in the updation and modernisation of police laws.
The said ceremony was participated by serving and retired judges of the Supreme Court, high courts, federal & state ministers , chairmen parliamentary committees on law & interior, federal and provincial secretaries, members of Parliament, inspector general of police, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Islamabad Capital Territory, the ambassadors and high commissioners, members of legal fraternity, academia, federal and provincial police officers, representatives of INGOs/ NGOs and international development partners, and media persons etc.