Law Enforcements in Pakistan

Law Enforcement in Pakistan: Structure, Responsibilities, and Leadership

Constitutional Framework

The Constitution of Pakistan (1973) provides the legal foundation for law enforcement agencies. It specifies the duties and powers of various state institutions, including those related to public safety, the administration of justice, and the prevention of crime. The Constitution divides law enforcement responsibilities between federal and provincial authorities, with the federal government overseeing national security and certain specialized functions, while provincial governments are primarily responsible for maintaining local law and order.

Federal Law Enforcement Agencies

At the federal level, several agencies work together to ensure national security, enforce federal laws, and prevent criminal activity.

1. Pakistan Police Service (PPS)
   • Responsibility: The Pakistan Police is responsible for maintaining law and order within the country. It handles criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, crime prevention, and public safety.
   • Hierarchy: The police force is headed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), who is appointed at the federal or provincial level, depending on jurisdiction.
   • Departments: Includes departments like the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Anti-Terrorism Department (ATD), and Traffic Police.
   • Jurisdiction: Provincial and district-level policing, with each province having its own police force, overseen by the provincial government.
2. Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
   • Responsibility: The FIA is primarily tasked with investigating and preventing federal crimes, including cybercrime, human trafficking, immigration violations, and corruption. It also plays a vital role in counter-terrorism efforts.
   • Hierarchy: Led by a Director General (DG) appointed by the federal government.
   • Jurisdiction: Federal, including international borders and cross-provincial issues.
3. Pakistan Rangers
   • Responsibility: The Rangers are responsible for securing borders, assisting in anti-terrorism operations, and supporting law enforcement in certain areas of national security. They often work in cooperation with the Pakistan Army and paramilitary forces.
   • Hierarchy: Led by a Director General (DG).
   • Jurisdiction: Primarily border security but can also be deployed in urban areas facing serious law and order issues, like Karachi.
4. Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF)
   • Responsibility: The ANF deals with drug-related offenses, including smuggling, production, and distribution of illegal narcotics.
   • Hierarchy: Managed by a Director General, the force works under the Ministry of Narcotics Control.
   • Jurisdiction: Federal, with regional offices across provinces for coordination.
5. Pakistan Coast Guard
   • Responsibility: This agency is tasked with securing Pakistan’s coastline, preventing smuggling, human trafficking, and protecting maritime security.
   • Hierarchy: Headed by a Director General under the Ministry of Defence.
   • Jurisdiction: Pakistan’s territorial waters and coastline.
6. Intelligence Agencies: ISI, MI, IB
   • ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence): Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency. Primarily responsible for national security and counter-intelligence, the ISI plays a key role in defense matters.
   • MI (Military Intelligence): Handles military security and counter-intelligence issues within the armed forces.
   • IB (Intelligence Bureau): Works on internal security, counter-terrorism, and intelligence gathering.

Provincial Law Enforcement Agencies

Each of Pakistan’s four provinces (Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan) has its own law enforcement agencies responsible for maintaining order within their respective jurisdictions.

1. Provincial Police Forces
   • Responsibility: The provincial police are responsible for general law enforcement duties, including crime prevention, investigation, and managing civil disturbances.
   • Hierarchy: Each provincial police force is led by an Inspector General of Police (IGP), who reports to the provincial chief minister. The hierarchy includes officers from constables to higher ranks such as DSPs, SPs, and DPOs.
   • Departments: Provincial police often have specialized units like Anti-Terrorism Squads, Criminal Investigation Departments, and Traffic Police.
   • Jurisdiction: Within the respective province, ensuring the implementation of provincial laws and maintaining law and order.
2. Provincial Rangers (e.g., Sindh Rangers)
   • Responsibility: In certain provinces like Sindh, Rangers act as an auxiliary force in maintaining peace in urban areas, particularly in high-conflict zones like Karachi.
   • Hierarchy: Led by a Director General and works under the provincial government with federal cooperation.
   • Jurisdiction: Urban security in areas with high crime rates or ethnic/religious tensions.

Hierarchy and Leadership

The hierarchy of law enforcement agencies in Pakistan is relatively structured, with a chain of command and accountability to higher officials. Below is a broad outline of the hierarchy:

• Federal Level Leadership
  • Prime Minister of Pakistan: Heads the federal government and has the authority to direct law enforcement on national security matters.
  • Minister of Interior: Oversees federal law enforcement, including the police, FIA, ANF, and other related agencies.
  • Inspector General of Police (IGP): The senior-most officer in the police hierarchy at both provincial and federal levels.
  • Director Generals: Senior officials of specialized agencies like the FIA, ANF, and Pakistan Rangers.
• Provincial Level Leadership
  • Chief Minister: Heads the provincial government and provides oversight of the provincial police.
  • Home Minister: Directly supervises law enforcement and public safety within the province.
  • IGP: The senior-most officer in the provincial police force, working under the provincial government.

Dealing Hands and Areas of Responsibility

Law enforcement in Pakistan is divided into several specialized fields, and each department has a unique role:

1. Crime Investigation
   • Handled by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and FIA, focusing on criminal cases like murder, robbery, and financial crimes.
2. Counter-Terrorism
   • Managed by specialized Counter-Terrorism Departments (CTD) at the provincial level and agencies like FIA and the ISI at the federal level.
3. Traffic Enforcement
   • Enforced by Traffic Police, a specialized unit within the provincial police.
4. Border and Coastal Security
   • The Pakistan Rangers and Pakistan Coast Guard are primarily responsible for securing borders and coastal regions against smuggling and illegal immigration.
5. Drug Enforcement
   • The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) is responsible for investigating and preventing drug trafficking and consumption.
6. Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence
   • Agencies like ISI, MI and IB play a major role in maintaining national security and preventing internal and external threats.

Collaboration Between Agencies

Law enforcement agencies at both the federal and provincial levels often collaborate with one another to address various issues, including national security, criminal activity, and counter-terrorism. The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) was established to coordinate efforts across agencies and prevent terrorism. The Pakistan military is also involved in law enforcement operations, particularly in situations requiring military intervention, such as during large-scale terrorism incidents or national security threats.

Conclusion

Law enforcement in Pakistan is multifaceted, with multiple agencies working in a coordinated, but often overlapping, manner. The country’s system includes federal and provincial forces, each with defined responsibilities, but bound by the same constitutional framework. These agencies face significant challenges, from managing terrorism and corruption to dealing with local law and order issues. Understanding the structure and hierarchy of these agencies is essential for recognizing how law and order is maintained in Pakistan’s complex socio-political environment.