Pakistani Police Governance and Accountability: Challenges and Recommendations

Abstract

The persistence of massive corruption, a lack of accountability, departmental clashes, constitutional crisis, and a deteriorating law and order situation, particularly in the police department, are ample indicators of the country's poor governance. Pakistan has been engulfed by opinionated volatility and turbulence, resulting in the formation of a dark crevice in the country's economic growth and development. Good governance cannot be respected while there is opinionated disarray, a politician's appetite for power, and an unreformed Police Department. The current police system in Pakistan was designed by the British in 1861 to address a more diverse set of social, administrative, and political realities than the country currently portrays. Numerous national and international experts have concluded that colonial architecture is unsuitable for Pakistan. Pakistan requires comprehensive police reforms as a necessary component of the national framework, regardless of which party is in power. The public interest in reclaiming law enforcement's value has never been greater than it is today. There is growing recognition that the assignment requires concentrated effort. There can be no expectation of momentous police reforms without a continuing corporation and partnership edifice among the major players involved. A progressive and unwavering political leadership, a towering altitude of public support, and an enthused and well-led general public that demands higher standards of police performance are all necessary components of change and good governance.

Criminal Justice System of Pakistan and the U.K: Similarities and Differences A Critical Analysis

“…Law enforcement is mostly under the jurisdiction of the provinces; each of the four provinces has its own police forces referred to as the Punjab Police and Sindh Police (Adil, 2022). There are also federal law enforcement organizations such as the Federal Investigation Agency, whose powers are limited to certain offenses, including smuggling, human trafficking, and corruption (Rashid, Jan, & Ahmed, 2021). Renewal, maintenance, and propagation of the law, deterrence and investigation of criminal behavior, and security of one's life and property are the police's chief obligations.…”

A Critical Analysis of Legal Framework on Accountability: A Case Study of Pakistan

“…Therefore any public or private business is fair game. On the other hand, a specified person, court of law, agency, provincial or federal legislative body, or accountability institution could serve as the accountability forum (Rashid et al, 2021). Words like "efficiency," "equity," "responsiveness," "transparency," "democracy," "answerability,' "justice," and "productivity" are all related to "accountability" and are used interchangeably in everyday speech.…”

“…People are generally good, but a corrupt system compels them to engage in various corrupt activities. Hence, systems need to be fixed in order to control systemic corruption (Rashid et al, 2021). Unquestionably, a successful accountability system primarily consists of two complementing parts: a strict accountability law and a separate agency to severely enforce the law.…”

“…Several patterns to combat systemic corruption have been established via research on accountability mechanisms' successful and effective functioning in various countries (Sadiq, 2020). The primary agency authorized to look into corruption offenses under the primary anti-corruption law, the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO), as well as offenses under the Independent Commission Against Corruption Ordinance and the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance, is the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), which was established in 1974 (Ikram, 2011;Rashid et al, 2021). It has the authority to address corruption in a number of public elections, including the one for chief executive, in addition to regulating corruption in the public and commercial sectors.…”

Assessment of Capacity-Building Needs Challenges and Opportunities

“…The occurrence of other micronutrient deficiency indices is also very high in Pakistan that contributing low performance of school children. In such countries, the prompt screening and referral of children with any deficiency to health facility is integral part of community health program to avoid prolonged impact / consequence (Aroor et al, 2014;Haque et al, 2016) (Rashid et al, 2021). Moreover, research-based knowledge on flaws of program, potential opportunities, and capacity building needs for improving skills and practices of "School Health and Nutrition Supervisors" are merely lacking.…”