KARACHI: The police and the prosecution departments joined hands on Saturday to identify flaws and shortcomings in investigation of crimes to ensure conviction of the accused so that deterrence could be maintained against crimes.

A meeting in this connection was held at the Karachi Police Office, which was jointly chaired by IG-Karachi Ghulam Nabi Memon and prosecutor general (PG) of Sindh Dr Fayaz Husain Shah.

The participants in the meeting, attended by DIGs, SSPs and heads of different special units of police and other officers, underlined the importance of coordination between the police and the prosecution as the latter plays the key role in investigation of crimes.

The participants decided to hold a meeting of district public prosecutors and investigation officers (IOs) regularly on monthly basis so that flaws and shortcomings in investigation could be addressed to get the accused convicted by courts.

“Crimes would be eliminated when the patterns of the crimes could be understood and it would be possible only through better investigation,” said Mr Memon.

It was also decided that training to the IOs of the police and prosecution officers would be provided on modern lines of investigation.

“In order to ensure provision of justice to the people, the police investigation system has to be developed on modern lines,” observed the city police chief.

It was pointed out in the meeting that lack of resources and security requirements were main reasons behind the poor investigation of the crimes.

It was stated that ensuring coordination and consultation between the prosecution and the police was imperative to improve investigation system.

“The police have to give special attention to the flaws and shortcomings owing to which, the accused get bail or are acquitted of crimes by the courts.”

The participants were of the considered view that drastic changes in the investigation system were needed to address low conviction rate and restore people’s confidence in the criminal justice system.

It was observed in the meeting that better results could be achieved by recruitment of competent prosecution officers through the Sindh Public Service Commission.

It was revealed that the investigation officers concerned in the Sindh Judicial Commission had started training of modern technology and tools about different kinds of cases that would likely to help convict accused and provision of justice.

Despite resource constraints, the police were providing modern equipment of investigation to officers so that a relief could be provided to the people.

The participants pointed out that the criminal justice system was facing problems and challenges in view of present Covid-19 situation.

They also highlighted the importance of establishment of crime scene units in Karachi.

Both the police and the prosecution also agreed to set up a joint committee for prosecution and investigation of high-profile cases.

It was also decided to hold annual meeting to give rewards and appreciation certificates to investigation officers who demonstrated better performance.

At the concluding of the meeting, the Karachi police chief expressed his gratitude to the PG Sindh, Dr Fayaz Husain Shah and his team.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2020