Salute to our Police force

For several days, I have been thinking of writing a column on an organization that we criticize every day, but still, they are performing their duties 24 hours a day, sacrifice their happiness, and freely accept our legitimate and illegitimate criticism.

The organization of Pakistan that I am going to mention today has performed its duties in every type of circumstance. The organization is known as the ‘Police Department’. The services and sacrifices of the Police Department are myriad. However, in this column, I will only discuss the services related to the coronavirus situation.

After the first case of coronavirus emerged in Pakistan, a state of emergency was declared and the government imposed lockdown across the country. It was the time when every single citizen was afraid of coronavirus.  At that time, the police department – which had endured the sting of our criticism – started taking measures to maintain the lockdown in order to ensure the safety of the citizens.

Think for a while, aren’t police personnel afraid of death, or they don’t have families? Try to find out the answers to these questions and when you get the answers, then acknowledge their services or provide some food or something else if possible.

The world is under lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi imposed lockdown in the country, the Indian police humiliated humanity by beating and torturing civilians. On the other hand, our police officials politely appealed to the people to stay at home.

The name of this appeal is humanity. In this regard, Pakistani police officials said that they are risking their lives and peace to ensure the safety of the citizens. One should protect himself by staying at home. Once again, I would like to ask why we do not see the services and kindness of these policemen when we are criticizing them.

Once, a large group of people was offering Eid prayers. After the prayers, people started hugging and extending Eid wishes to each other. At that moment, an elderly police officer was performing his duty outside the mosque. The elderly police officer also hoped that some of them will also wish and hug him. No one came and he started crying. Same as those worshippers, we have also ignored many benefactors.

Instead of criticizing police personnel, let us pay tribute, and thanked the police department for sacrificing their lives for bringing peace and order in Pakistan.

Additionally, I appeal to Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief Ministers of all four provinces including Gilgit-Baltistan, to reduce the working hours of police officials to 8 hours instead of 12 hours. A separate housing scheme and hospital should be set up for the police department and other facilities should be announced. I further appeal to concerned authorities that maximum facilities should be provided to the police department of the nation who are serving the people day and night.

Simultaneously, I would request the police department to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to you by this nation and not to harass anyone unnecessarily. People who are forced to commit a mistake or a minor crime that is not thoughtful should be left without a recommendation.

Let’s act responsibly as an honorable citizen, and avoid arguing with the officers at the checkpoints and try to cooperate fully with them. Whenever we see a police official, we should respectfully greet him with a smile on our face and assured him that the whole nation stands with you.