Uniform crimes

10 January 2024

Published in: DAWN

While misconduct in law enforcement is not unique to Pakistan, it would not be far-fetched to state that criminality in our police force is at record levels. As a result, people end up fearing the force rather than putting their faith in it. Disturbing reports reveal that even a safety measure — the campaign against unlicensed drivers — has been weaponized by the Punjab police.

Lahore’s traffic wardens are sending 50 to 100 young riders and drivers behind bars daily, including student motorcyclists carrying learners’ licenses and vehicle documents. Although the practice is a familiar one across the country, the detention of young and underage riders with hardened offenders, leaving them vulnerable to crime and abuse, is an aberrant aspect. Victims and their parents also allege that the traffic police, in collusion with police stations and lawyers, take hefty amounts as fees for ‘travel expenses’.

Clearly, gone are the days when bribes were the order of the day. The fact that police excesses have grown more toxic and harmful suggests a lack of accountability. Besides, activities like these promote mass disillusionment with law enforcers and the government as drives must have checks and balances to avoid abuse of power. The police hierarchy too has much to overhaul in order to build a force that serves and protects the citizenry as opposed to turning on it. Second, safety on roads can be maintained with fines, warnings, challans, impounding vehicles and issuing notices to residences of errant drivers. Third, along with these steps, there has to be scrutiny within the force and a zero-tolerance policy for criminal officers. Moreover, citizens’ trust should be restored with a monitored helpline to register complaints against police corruption and high-handedness. Finally, the state has to decipher why police personnel indulge in blatant violation of authority to commit the same offences that they are meant to thwart. Or else, the black sheep will overshadow honest officers.