An efficient police is not only required for effective crime control, but is also vital for successful counter-insurgency. In Pakistan, an understaffed and underequipped police is increasingly called on to manage rising violations of law and growing militancy. It is only in the last few years that police reform as a critical development priority has been truly acknowledged. The interest in reform stems from clear and overwhelming evidence that a fair, ethical, and efficient criminal justice system is an important factor in the promotion of economic and social development.

Mr. Khan gave a detailed presentation explaining the various challenges faced by the police, duties performed by the police, public perception of the police, history of police reforms and the flaws in them, expenditure on the police, etc. According to him, some of the serious constraints undermining the police are: An outdated legal and institutional framework. It started with the Police Act 1861 which was devised for a 19th century India and meant principally for a colonial rule. It was ultimately replaced by the Police Order 2002. Unfortunately, the Order could not be implemented in letter and spirit. Consequently, the police service is still being governed by the Police Rules 1934 emanating from the Police Act 1861 Deliberate mismanagement of the police by certain members of the executive in order to safeguard their own interests. Increasing trends of terrorism, crime, and civil unrest. Poor incentive system for welfare and career planning of the police. Widespread social disorganization, corruption and disregard for the rule of law in the society. Severe human, financial and physical under resourcing of the police. In order to further elaborate his arguments, he particularly focused on the constraints on the Punjab Police in combating terrorism and ensuring law and order.

Mr. Khan stressed that an ambitious reform process is needed to modernize an outmoded institutional framework and to improve the professional and ethical content of policing. He made the following recommendations:

1. Police officers should have reasonable duty hours and proper facilities.
2. Specialization within the departments should be encouraged.
3. Recruitment standards should be reviewed and psychological tests should be introduced in the selection procedure.
4. During service, the aspect of career planning should be given more attention.
5. There should be a political will to make the police politically neutral.
6. Community policing should be introduced and there should be a political will to carry it forward with every successive regime.
7. There should be a fool-proof, merit-based system of promotions.
8. Security of tenure should be ensured.
9. No extension of service should be granted to retiring police officers.

During the Q&A session, two other senior police officers--- Farooq Mazhar (Senior Superintendent of Police) and Shahzada Sultan (Senior Superintendent of Police)--- joined Mr. Khan in answering different questions posed by the participants.

In the end, Syed Imad-ud-Din Asad [Director, Center for Law and Policy] thanked the participants for sharing their views. The attendees, who comprised lawyers, academics, and Harvard alumni from different walks of life, highly appreciated the insightful presentation and the frank and open manner in which the three senior officers discussed a very important topic.