ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Monday took notice of the recent incidents of street crime in the capital, with members seeking record of convictions for crimes in the next meeting.

The committee meeting also saw some members exchange hot words with the inspector general of police (IGP) Islamabad.

National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior, which met with MNA Raja Khurram Nawaz in the chair, discussed the law and order situation in Islamabad besides other agenda items.

During the course of the meeting, IGP Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, while giving a presentation to the committee, said 70pc of the police focused on law and order duties and performed them to stop ‘invasion’ and ‘attacks’ on Islamabad. To this, the chair directed him not to use such words.

Committee chairman, IGP exchange hot words over law and order situation; members seek record of convictions in next meeting

In response, the IGP said: “Should I not respond to you”.

The committee chairman said instead of politely responding, you are showing aggression.

“Don’t use such words,” Mr Nawaz said, adding that crimes take place across the globe but in Islamabad, respectable people hesitate to visit police stations because of officials’ perception.

To this, IGP Rizvi aggressively responded, “Should I consider your views as observations?”

The committee chairman asked the IGP if Islamabad police enjoyed a good perception in the city.

He further said capital police used to be known as the best police like the Motorway Police, adding that there was a need for coordination between police and citizens.

Taking part in the debate, another PML-N MNA from Islamabad Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said there was a need to make reconciliation committees fully functional in Islamabad.

PPP lawmaker Nabeel Gabol said during the last protest [by PTI], he remained stuck in the Parliament Lodges for three days, asking why was the entire Islamabad sealed during protests. He said at least roads leading to the airport should remain open.

Dr Tariq Fazal said sit-ins were a major issue, adding that protest was the right of political parties, but citizens also had the right to free movement.

Head of Sunni Ittehad Council Sahibzada Hamid Raza said the way the IGP talked to the committee chairman was deplorable.

He asked the IGP if he could tell the committee whether those who picked up parliamentarians from the parliament recently were holding flowers in their hands?

“Locks of this building [parliament] were broken,” he said, adding that on social media “we have been seeing some gangs in Vigos with gunmen sitting at the back,” Mr Raza said, adding that the IGP was saying that we are invaders.

The committee chairman said the interior minister and interior secretary never talked the way the IGP did. He also sought an update from the IGP on two murder cases that recently took place in Bhara Kahu. He also said that recently a criminal came with Kalashnikov in Bari Imam area near to the PM office, which was a big question mark on the efficiency of the police.

He advised the IGP that instead of becoming aggressive, he should take help of this committee in combating crime.

Mr Nawaz said those who could not bear criticism could not perform, adding that there were also reports of refusal of registration of FIRs.

The committee chairman told the IGP that just because of respect of his uniform he was allowed to sit in this committee, otherwise, “I would have asked you to leave this meeting”.

To this the IGP replied that being the head of Islamabad police, let me tell you that “you are respectable” and that his statement was taken out of proportion.

Earlier, the IGP briefed the committee on the current law and order situation, performance relating to special security duties, including visits of foreign dignitaries, delegations as well as security for resident foreign diplomats. He said crime rate had seen a decrease this year compared to the previous year.

The IGP faced tough questions on his presentation from PTI’s Zartaj Gul and PPP leader Abdul Qadir Patel.

Ms Gul said after watching the presentation of the IGP, she felt as if the committee got a briefing about the police of England.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the NA secretariat said that the committee appreciated the efforts of ICT police related to major events of national importance like the SCO summit. Moreover, law and order situation remained under control during the recent turbulent past, the press release said.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2024