ISLAMABAD, Aug 3: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Nazim Hussain Shah on Tuesday asked the police to handle law and order situation with professionalism and refrain from illegal actions like extra-judicial killings, torture or fake encounters.

"The function of police officers ranges from prevention and detection of crime to behaving with the members of the public with due decorum and courtesy," the chief justice said while speaking with a group of assistant superintendents of police, who were accompanied by the Commandant of the National Police Academy, the IGP, Asif Ali Shah, and the Course Commander, SSP Tariq Masood Yasin, here at the Supreme Court.

"Guiding and assisting members of the public, particularly the poor, the disabled and the physically weak helps in promoting amity," the chief justice said. While highlighting the importance of continuous pre-service education and in-service training, the chief justice stressed upon the police officers to conduct raids with a view to achieving the object and purpose of law instead of going with readiness to kill people.

The chief justice, while explaining about the administration of justice, said police should not interfere in matters involving civil disputes. The police should advise the person coming to them for registration of case in civil matters to approach the concerned court.

The chief justice also dilated upon the duties of the police officer with reference to the Police Act 1961, the Police Order 2002 and the Fundamental Rights guaranteed under the Constitution of Pakistan particularly Articles 4, 8, 9 and 10.

The chief justice asked the police not to create situations which lead to killings and should also not be disappointed with the flaws in legislation, it is the job of the lawmakers to remove these.

The chief justice observed that negotiation, particularly hostage negotiations, was a delicate matter in which it was important to buy time. "If a police officer is able to do that, great catastrophes could be averted," the chief justice observed, adding that life of an individual was the most precious thing on earth, and every effort must be made to save and protect it.

The chief justice asked the police officers to do everything to meet the call of their duty, complete the investigation and submit the challans in court within time. This will greatly contribute in the improvement of administration of justice.

The chief justice also asked the officers to maintain idealism in life and never lose patience, objectivity, human values. A police officer must enter the profession with a commitment and zeal to bring a change, a pleasant change.

It is our daily experience that many of the criminals go scot-free on account of lapses in investigation, for want of proper evidence. "Do not allow this to happen," he said.