THERE is a general misperception that police officials make ‘a lot of money’. This may be true in the case of a few dishonest individuals as there are black sheep in every department. But, generally speaking, about 95 per cent of police personnel find it hard to make ends meet.

Most police officials do not get any government accommodation or transport. The salaries of Sindh Police, too, are meagre compared to their counterparts in Punjab. Promotion of officials not belonging to the Pakistan Police Service (PSP) cadre takes decades.

Moreover, there are no health facilities for the families of police officials whereas even those working in the Sindh secretariat enjoy such facilities.

Police officials, especially in Karachi, manage their domestic finances with great difficulty as they have to pay house rent, school fees for their children and other household expenses within their limited resources. But they face financial crisis in the real sense when they meet any medical emergency. They obviously take their loved ones to private hospitals, for government hospitals, as everyone knows, do not provide quality healthcare. Such emergencies make them go bankrupt.

The rising cost of living for the last four or five years has added to the misery of the upright police officials who are not involved in malpractices and believe in earning an honest living.

The relevant authorities in Sindh need to look into the matter and come up with a solution. While the police force deserves much more, providing health facilities will boost its morale in the short term.

Name withheld on request
Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2022