Pakistan’s flawed law enforcement undermines its contributions to global security

The breakdown of law and order is not just a failure of governance: it points to a deeper rupture within the social fabric, a rift that threatens the very foundation of justice and democracy. In Pakistan, three deeply flawed security tactics have taken root: extrajudicial killings, the misuse of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), and manipulation of the Fourth Schedule. These tactics, far from curbing crime and terrorism, risk turning the country into a lawless hub of extremism, thereby undermining its contributions in the global fight against terror. 

It is appalling how frequently extrajudicial killings continue to occur, with the authorities offering the same old justification each time: that the accused died in a hail of gunfire from their accomplices. Meanwhile, law enforcers remain silent. It sends a distressing message: they are no longer the arbiters of justice. Quick, expedient measures have taken precedence for them, with those in power quietly condoning lawlessness even though crime can never be countered with such measures. 

In just one month, more than four major staged encounters have come to light. In Quetta and Umerkot, police officers killed the very individuals they were meant to protect. When law enforcers begin committing crimes in the name of justice, it should cause serious alarm. Authority without accountability is a recipe for disaster; unchecked power is dangerous, and when those tasked with protecting society become its greatest threat, anyone can be next.

The rise in extrajudicial killings have made it easy to brand anyone a terrorist or criminal, thereby stripping them of their dignity. 

Dr Syed Kaleem Imam

Instead of facing justice through the legal system, the plotters of the 2021 Chinese bus bombing incident were killed during an alleged escape attempt while they were serving their life sentences. The incident raised troubling questions: why were they killed rather than being prosecuted through proper channels? Was it sheer frustration with Pakistan’s moratorium on the death penalty? If the goal was to send a message, justice delivered through lawful means would have been far more effective than resorting to extrajudicial measures.

Then there is the ATA; originally intended to combat terrorism, it has been grossly overextended to cover minor offenses and even political dissent. Since its implementation in 1997, 38,800 cases have been registered and 187,724 arrests have been made in connection with the law, but there have been only 9,560 convictions, many of which were overturned. Likewise, 28,655 individuals have been acquitted, among them 369 women who couldn’t escape the ever-expanding definition of a ‘terrorist’ in the Pakistani legal system. This law must be prevented from being misused, and counselling and rehabilitation services need to be provided for those wrongly accused under it. 

Relatedly, the Fourth Schedule, which was initially designed to monitor individuals suspected of terrorism, has now been turned into a tool to silence journalists, activists, and dissenters. Instead of countering genuine threats, it has been weaponized to intimidate the opposition under the guise of national security. This misuse of power has cemented the perception that institutions are no longer engaged in battling terrorism but using regulatory laws to silence voices that challenge the status quo.

The weakening of law enforcement through the decentralization of police forces under the 18th Amendment has worsened these issues. Rather than merit, leadership changes in the police are now decided by political factions seeking control over law enforcement. This power struggle has perverted the original mission of the police, leaving the public unprotected and vulnerable. The police, once guardians of public order, now serve political masters, using their power to settle scores. 

On the other hand, the concept of accountability — once the cornerstone of law enforcement — has been all but abandoned. Without it, law enforcement has become even more of a battleground for political and bureaucratic tussles. Meanwhile, the public — the most vulnerable in this equation — watches helplessly as the law is perverted by those who should be upholding it.

It is time for the restoration of some accountability in the police forces. Rogue officers involved in extrajudicial killings must be prosecuted, sending a clear message that no one is above the law. The families of their victims deserve justice, not hollow apologies or coerced settlements. Recruitment of law enforcement personnel must be focused on encouraging professionalism, weeding out radical elements, and fostering a culture of respect for due process. 

The ATA itself requires urgent restructuring. The Fourth Schedule must return to its original purpose — targeting genuine threats, not political dissenters. Law enforcement must stop being an arm of political power and return to its role as the protector of public safety and justice. 

Let’s remember that the rule of law is a necessity, not a choice. The unchecked misuse of the ATA, the manipulation of the Fourth Schedule, and the rise in extrajudicial killings have made it easy to brand anyone a terrorist or criminal, thereby stripping them of their dignity. Likewise, accountability is not a choice, it is an urgent necessity. 

As one critic aptly stated, “The safeguard of our people’s liberties is not the law, but the protection of the law against misinterpretation.” The country’s leadership must be compelled to rein in such abuses and restore a system where justice, democracy, and governance are upheld — not through violence, but through the rule of law.

– The writer is former federal secretary/IGP- PhD in Politics and IR-teaching Law and Philosophy. X: @Kaleemimam. Email:[email protected]: fb@syedkaleemimam