Imran Khan's criticism of the police

Imran Khan's criticism of the police: How do such statements affect the performance of the police?

On the night of August 20, a young police officer posted in Punjab opened his Twitter account to listen to Imran Khan's speech an hour earlier.

In this speech, Imran Khan accused the police of torturing Shahbaz Gul, a member of his party. Not only this but also he issued a stern warning to the senior officers of the federal capital police. In front of the party workers in Islamabad, Imran Khan roared and said, "Shame on IG Islamabad and DIG." We will not leave you, we have to file a case against you.

The young police officer, who did not want to be named, said that the police in Pakistan are the target of politicians' wrath, but what worried him about Imran Khan's speech was the open targeting of senior police officers.

He said such statements would only make the police more politicized and force some officers to align with Imran Khan's biggest political rivals, currently the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

While talking to BBC Urdu, he said, "Obviously, they will see that our survival is now with one party, so we should work more for that party."

This is not the first time Imran Khan has targeted the police since he was ousted from power in April.

In a speech on June 28 also, he gave a direct message to the Punjab Police. They alleged that the police tortured their political workers on the instructions of the government. In this regard, Imran Khan promised to take action against them.

"Junior officers avoid going for political arrests"

In his speech, Imran Khan also said that nothing is hidden anymore, it is the age of social media. We know the faces of all the police officers who did wrong.

He further warned police officers not to take 'illegal actions' against his political party.

Another senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, asked what was meant by Imran Khan's 'illegal orders'.

While talking to BBC Urdu, he said, "Look, no police does the job of arresting political workers with enthusiasm, but the police have to do it." There is an order of the government, what is illegal in it.

All five police officers who agreed to speak to BBC Urdu agreed that whenever a political party is in power, it uses the police against its opponents.

"There is nothing new in this, nor is it that politicians later hold the police responsible for many of their decisions, but constantly targeting the police in this way has an effect on soldiers and officers."

A police official who spoke to the BBC admitted that such statements made junior officers reluctant to go into the field to carry out government orders regarding political arrests.

An officer posted in Islamabad, on condition of anonymity, said that by making such statements, the former prime minister is trying to create chaos and division in the police force.

"The most dangerous aspect of this is that you may be creating division within a force that is armed in uniform and based only on orders and discipline," he said.

Continuing his point, he said, "Suppose that tomorrow if the police are asked to arrest Imran Khan, they will definitely hesitate."

"Transfer and posting powers have been transferred from the IG office to the political office."

An officer from Islamabad said that the police are an easy target, there is no one to defend us. If Imran Khan names any [senior officer] from another institution, he should bring them on the line.

On the one hand, if Imran Khan has promised action against IG Islamabad and other police officers, on the other hand, a police officer has lost his job after the May 25 incident.

In a video that went viral on social media, SHO Abid Hussain can be seen pointing a pistol at female PTI protesters in Faisalabad.

Last week, Abid Hussain was dismissed from his job, ending 20 years of service in the Punjab Police.

Speaking to BBC Urdu, Abid Hussain insisted that he was a victim of political vendetta and would challenge the move in court.

He further said that the social media and TV channels did not show the entire video of the incident in which the circumstances and events are clear due to which he was forced to draw his pistol.

He said that for half an hour I was trying to keep things peaceful on the motorway. No one saw this. No one showed that the women tore my uniform and then I also reacted in my defence.

Despite this, he says that he is a supporter of Imran Khan. He further said that 'Khan Sahib should choose his words correctly.'

Continuing his speech, he said 'because he is standing in a place where many people have to learn from him.'

It should be noted that whenever a new government takes power in Pakistan, it first changes the police force.

Since July 2018, the Inspector General of Police of Punjab has been changed eight times. After Hamza Shahbaz was elected Chief Minister of Punjab on April 16, several changes were made in the police force. Then in July, when Parvez Elahi took over as Chief Minister in place of Hamza Shehbaz, the police faced another reshuffle.

According to a media report shared by the Punjab Police website, more than 100 police personnel were transferred in just three days this month.

A senior police officer of Punjab said that this is a very disturbing case. He added that the ongoing debate in the police force is why a policeman should work if the average posting is only two or three months.

He said that it is a fact that the average duration of posting of an SHO at one place in the whole of Pakistan is not more than three months.

Continuing his talk with BBC Urdu, he said that "nobody is ready to work these days." We are tired of pushing them, morale is bad.

Young police officers also agree that the uncertainty of the tenure creates more frustration than a politician's words.

When the IG does your transfer or posting, he looks at your performance, but now all the transfer posting powers have been transferred from the IG office to the political office.

"Police should not obey illegal orders"

Retired police officer Syed Kaleem Imam has a different opinion regarding Imran Khan's criticism of the police.

He insists that it is normal for politicians to criticize the police and there is nothing wrong with it.

He further said that the time has come for the police in Pakistan to self-evaluate their behavior and reputation.

While talking to BBC Urdu, Kaleem Imam said that "Obviously, whenever someone talks like this about the police, the morale of the police will come down."

He further said that "But the police also need to look into their necks that this turn has come because someone is telling me this."

Kaleem Imam says that law enforcement agencies around the world are criticized by individuals.

"The police should not obey illegal orders because they have taken an oath that we will uphold the law."