Pakistan cannot move ahead without stability, peace: Ahsan

ISLAMABAD, Feb 22 (APP):Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal Thursday said peace and development were linked and
Pakistan could not move ahead without political stability and continuity
of policies.
The minister was speaking at a seminar on “Disparities in Police System in Provinces and
Federal Capital” organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute
(SDPI) here.
The minister said the state of Pakistan had been facing an uncertain situation for the last
70 years.
He said in 2013, Newsweek declared that the most dangerous country of the world was not
Iraq but Pakistan.
In 2017, the situation changed and Pakistan was declared one of the fastest growing economies
in the world, he added.
The minister said, “better policing is needed for the implementation of development projects
and help people in positive contribution towards progress of the country.”
“Police hold the key to stability and development,” he remarked.
He said police should be citizen friendly and play a leadership role in the communities. “Police
should be source of strength for the weak.”
Ahsan Iqbal said police reforms could not be successful without taking all stakeholders on
board.
If there was uncertainty in the country, reforms could not be undertaken in any sphere of life,
he stressed.
One reason for lack of reforms in police was the differences between different
stakeholders, he noted.
He appreciated the sacrifices of personnel of armed forces, civil armed forces and
police and said the forces remained in the forefront in the battle against
terrorism.
He said a unit of anti-riot police was trained for Islamabad, adding a 500-member counter terrorism
police force was also raised.
The minister said role of individuals was important in creating effective institutions.
He said the government was in contact with foreign governments to arrange training sessions
for police.
He said a project was underway to set up 22 model police stations in Islamabad.
Ahsan said human systems were organic in nature and change did not come at once but with
sustained efforts spread over years.
He said according to experiences of developed countries, change comes gradually with
constant training and change in old habits.
“If we want to reform, we give up our old habits and adopt new habits. It has to be a
collective effort.”
Executive Director SDPI, Dr Abid Suleri, Dr Shoaib Suddle, Lt Gen(R) Moinuddin Haider,
Humaira Masiuddin and others spoke on the occasion and highlighted different
aspects of police laws and reforms undertaken in the past.