A consultative meeting on ‘Policing and Role of Media’ was held at Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Monday March 24, 2014. The meeting was held in partnership between the Center for Research and Security Studies and the KPC.

The objectives of the meeting were: to ascertain the position of media personnel on their perceptions and matters of interest vis-a-vis the Sindh police force, its working, capacity development, problems and difficulties; sensitize media personnel on an urgent need for new legislation and revision of the police laws of 1861; minimizing prejudices against police; and urgemedia to advocate professionalism and accountability of the police vis a vis the public.

Former Capital City Police Office (CCPO) Tariq Jamil apprised the participants of the difficulties and the problems faced by the police force in Sindh and pointed out the areas where reforms were needed.

The meeting was attended by editors of newspapers, columnists, senior reporters and the KPC office-bearers.

Mr. Jamil, while stressing the need for better police force, maintained that the Police Order 2002 was still a legally applicable law asit had not been repealed. He said this order addressed most of the complaints the people had and provided for accountability in police department besides blocking political and other pressures on police.

The speakers stressed that police must be people-friendly and should be independent to work for the rule of law. They also called for better education, training and salaries with strong accountability arm for the police department.