Karachi police chief forbids cops from asking couples for proof of marriage
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The Karachi police chief has discouraged cops from harassing couples and asking them to prove that they are married.
In a notification dated Oct 9 newly appointed Additional Inspector General of Police Amir Sheikh noted: "There is a general complaint that policemen in mobiles and motorcycles harass and humiliate couples by asking them to show 'nikahnama' to prove their credentials as husband and wife."
"You are hereby directed to issue strict instructions to the subordinate staff not to demand 'nikahnama' from any person. In future, such complaints shall not be tolerated and action against supervising officers will also be initiated," the notification added.
The letter was addressed to the Deputy Inspector Generals (DIG) South, West and East Zones Karachi, Javed Alam Odho, Khadim Hussain Rind and Amir Farooqui.
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Comments (67) Closed
Oct 10, 2018 01:21pm
Good one. It was disgusting to begin with.
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Oct 10, 2018 01:25pm
Very well done.
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Oct 10, 2018 01:25pm
Seriously, why is this even a problem. Who in their right minds goes around with their Nikkah Nama in the pockets?
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Oct 10, 2018 01:29pm
Absolutely good move. The Police has nothing to do with going around asking people to prove their marriage. Moral Policing by Law Enforcing Units is not required, it should be left to the person's own conscience & upbringing to decide themselves! If they are found in compromising activity, legal recourse including arresting and proving themselves in Court of Law should be the way to go!
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Oct 10, 2018 01:34pm
That is a good step and it must be appreciated. The police has no right to ask for marriage contract, which nobody carries while travelling in the city or outside. However, it must be mandatory for the people to carry their CNICs to prove their identity, as and when demanded, by the Law Enforcing Agencies.
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Oct 10, 2018 01:53pm
Very wise and sensible decision.
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Oct 10, 2018 01:54pm
Good decisiin. Focus on justice. Leave morality for cuvil society to determine by itself.
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Oct 10, 2018 01:55pm
All of us have suffered at hands of police in name of nikahnama ... it was only a way to humiliate and take advantage from vulnerable couples . No where in the world any one asks for such evidence . Only in the land of pure this happens
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Oct 10, 2018 02:20pm
Welcome to 18th century.
This harassment by cops should have been stopped long ago.
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Oct 10, 2018 02:32pm
Policemen will find other ways to harass the couple. For example, It has been heard that policemen caught the youngsters sitting at the sea view beach and saying "we have seen you involved in unethical activity" or "you have to accompany us to the police station to ascertain that you are husband and wife".
The police system needs to be revamped and their mentality towards the people also requires complete overhaul..
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Oct 10, 2018 02:47pm
Papers please
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Oct 10, 2018 02:48pm
Take a pic of your nikkah naamah and store it in the cloud for easy access. You don't need to carry the hard copy with you just your phone. Wedding pictures and supporting affidavits would help too.
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Oct 10, 2018 02:54pm
@Shah - It was just a tactic to get bribe from the hapless people.
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Oct 10, 2018 02:56pm
I have been a victim of this harassment by plain clothed so called police on Clifton beach in the 90's.
Another one of Zia ul Haq's misguided ideas.
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Oct 10, 2018 02:59pm
Finally some positive moves from a force which had long ago lost the respect of the people.
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Oct 10, 2018 03:01pm
finally some are using their brains.
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Oct 10, 2018 03:22pm
@hani why is there even a need to do that?
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Oct 10, 2018 03:44pm
Though all these actions are commendable but in a society where people are well off and have nothing to worry for their livelihood and street crimes.Do the AIG know how much Bhatta is collected on monthly basis by our Karachi traffic police from public transporters and private vehicles in Karachi.With the government of PTI coming in power we were under the impression that the road corruption crime of the traffic police will come to an end but we are wrong.The joke is the government fine people for not wearing helmets from the poor people but street crimes and mafia is roaming on roads without fear.
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Oct 10, 2018 04:01pm
Interior minister Sheyar khan is doing an excellent job. Hats off to him. Other ministers should follow his steps
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Oct 10, 2018 04:03pm
Sindh police are the most corrupt in the province
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Oct 10, 2018 04:22pm
@Gerry dcunha dude you have to meet punjab police. Your claim about most corrupt will change.
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Oct 10, 2018 05:12pm
@hani what's the need to do so. Why should people show their marriage photos to police? I believe that's something personal but you don't think so
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Oct 10, 2018 05:17pm
He just shut them off from one of their main sources of income.
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Oct 10, 2018 05:18pm
Good directive. Respect peoples own morality. They could be more pious than the policeman.
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Oct 10, 2018 05:18pm
Thank You
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Oct 10, 2018 05:54pm
this is a shameful act of police to get bribery or to harass citizens. Good move and this should be dealt with Iron hand
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Oct 10, 2018 06:10pm
@Shah Demand for Nikahnama is another way to collect bribe. Do the cops ever carry their nikahnama?
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Oct 10, 2018 06:12pm
@hani Cops will not believe it. They will find another excuse. They might keep your cell phone for invstigation.
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Oct 10, 2018 06:20pm
Interesting, Nikahnama in our pockets. So funny! May be, we should ask all married couples to re-register and issue them a plastic card like NIC with fancy IT chips, small in size to fit in the wallet. Would that make us first country in the entire world to be asked to keep Nikah plastic card in our wallets??
Poor policeman, they have just lost one of their popular way of making money.
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Oct 10, 2018 06:54pm
@hani but why?
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Oct 10, 2018 06:55pm
The long awaited and highly appreciable step taken by the Police Chief to save the citizens from the wild brutality of the cops many of whom are themselves having the past history of being worst criminals. I hope this will be practically implemented.
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Oct 10, 2018 06:57pm
The relationship between two adults should be based on consent alone.
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Oct 10, 2018 07:10pm
Change is already here.
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Oct 10, 2018 07:25pm
This was a ridiculous practice on the part of our beat cops to try and extract a bribe. Good move, but a lot needs to be done to reform our police force.
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Oct 10, 2018 07:29pm
Thank you. Just being or travelling together, even if they are not married, is no crime. Unless and until someone is doing illegal activities, police should not approach or interfere.
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Oct 10, 2018 07:47pm
Asking couples for proof of marriage is not the job of the police. They are simply wasting valuable time.
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Oct 10, 2018 08:34pm
Disgusting. Nonone keeps the nikah nama with him when going outside with his wife. Policemen should focus on law and order situation and donot try to become Shurtas!
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Oct 10, 2018 08:39pm
Karachi police is only trying to prevent degeneration of society to copy western countries.
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Oct 10, 2018 08:46pm
Nadra could solve this problem easily. Nadra should made an additional word "married with ..." or "unmarried" on every cnic. It will help police to judge the person easily.
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Oct 10, 2018 09:03pm
@hani But why? Police has no business with one's marriage.
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Oct 10, 2018 09:10pm
Long overdue directive; better late than never.
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Oct 10, 2018 09:15pm
Be glad they do not ask for birth certificates of the children when you are travelling with your family, or taking them to school even.
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Oct 10, 2018 09:45pm
Such a relief. One couldn't even go to Clifton beach with wife much less a girlfriend. I doubt though that anything would change.
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Oct 10, 2018 09:46pm
Hopefully this gets expanded to whole country. I remember few run ins like that. Nice times. Added to adrenaline rush though, so kind of off sets it, yeah?
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Oct 10, 2018 09:49pm
@Vijay B. Maybe next is on road DNA tests of children to check paternity or any unethical action city involved!
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Oct 10, 2018 10:12pm
I think nadra card is enough. Unless any obscene act is being noticed, it shouldn't matter who is travelling with who
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Oct 10, 2018 10:18pm
Very good step
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Oct 10, 2018 10:26pm
This is by far the most stupidest thing Karachi police was doing asking couples for proof of marriage. Have they lost their mind?
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Oct 10, 2018 10:26pm
but nothing gets implemented. i just paid 'fine' yesterday for not wearing helmet. policemen do whatever they wanna do anyway. the society needs to be educated as a whole. it is a sick mentality. people just look at a couple and feel jealous and harass them calling it ghairat.
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Oct 10, 2018 10:54pm
A very good development
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Oct 10, 2018 11:42pm
all becaue of IK.
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Oct 10, 2018 11:54pm
So, what if the couple says they are brother sisters, cousins, or friends? Do they ask for proof?
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Oct 11, 2018 12:20am
@M1 Jamal ; But why you don’t wear Helmets: required by law : police is 200%correct to demand and fine : for not wearing helmets: no excuses! Just wear it
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Oct 11, 2018 12:23am
If parents are not worried about it : than why police is responsible!
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Oct 11, 2018 12:27am
Great action under PTI. I go around with my girl friends and this issue has been a nuisance. They have no right on my prIvate matters
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Oct 11, 2018 12:32am
What about the rest of Pakistan? Police is the source of most of crimes in Lahore. It starts with the airport staff upon arrival, who inform their friends of possible victims. Most people are afraid to report crimes to police because they know that will give police an invitation to harass them for bribes.
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Oct 11, 2018 12:33am
It is not the business of the government if any couple is married or unmarried. Moral policing is despicable
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Oct 11, 2018 01:04am
This police chief is really serious and wants to do something good for Karachi. Thanks.
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Oct 11, 2018 02:36am
@Lal khan
Mr. Lal Khan,
The main source of income of the police is bribery,
unfortunately.
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Oct 11, 2018 03:09am
Rights of individuals should be respected. Curbing freedom only gives rise to corruption. It was a derogatory rule.
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Oct 11, 2018 04:21am
It is a good step.
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Oct 11, 2018 05:03am
An important step towards de-ziafication. Finally the nation can grow again.
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Oct 11, 2018 06:45am
no wonder why no one dates any more in Karachi. When I was growing up in the good old days things were way different then and I would walk hand in hand with my girlfriend at Paradise Poinnt and believe it or not no questions asked. Wish those times would come back.
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Oct 11, 2018 07:30am
When and why was this right was given to the Police in the first place?
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Oct 11, 2018 08:31am
@hani what business is of state to ask anyone about nikahnans anyways.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:36am
Wait till mullah come out in force against this order .
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Oct 11, 2018 07:59pm
@Atif Khan well said
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