Pakistan faces critical shortage of warehouse faci…

  Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires to Pakistan Natalie Baker in Islamabad, where the two sides discussed regional developments, security matters and ways to strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and the United States. The meeting focused on the overall situation in the region, with particular attention given to peace and stability. Both sides exchanged views on ongoing regional developments and discussed the importance of maintaining cooperation to address emerging security challenges. According to the details of the meeting, Pakistan and the United States also discussed their bilateral relationship and explored opportunities to expand cooperation across different areas. The two sides expressed interest in strengthening existing mechanisms of collaboration and developing further partnerships in areas of mutual interest. Law-enforcement cooperation was also an important part of the discussion. Naqvi and Baker exchanged views on joint programmes and training opportunities involving police officers from both countries. Such initiatives were discussed as a means of improving professional capabilities, sharing expertise and strengthening coordination between law-enforcement institutions. The officials also discussed the need for greater cooperation against organised crime, drug trafficking and human smuggling. Both sides agreed to enhance collaboration in these areas, recognising that such crimes often operate across national borders and require coordinated efforts between countries. The discussion highlighted the importance of information sharing, professional training and institutional cooperation in tackling transnational criminal networks. Strengthening law-enforcement coordination could help both countries improve their ability to respond to security threats and combat criminal activities that affect communities in Pakistan and beyond. During the meeting, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker also praised Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for what she described as his positive diplomatic role in promoting peace and stability in the region. Her remarks came amid broader discussions on regional security and the importance of diplomatic engagement in addressing tensions and maintaining stability. The appreciation reflected the US side’s recognition of Pakistan’s role in contributing to regional peace efforts. The meeting between Naqvi and Baker comes as Pakistan and the United States continue to engage on a range of security and bilateral matters. Cooperation between the two countries has traditionally included areas such as counterterrorism, law enforcement, border security and efforts to combat transnational crime. The latest discussions indicate an effort to further strengthen practical cooperation, particularly in areas directly linked to public security and law enforcement. The proposed police training and exchange programmes could provide opportunities for officers from both countries to learn from each other’s experiences and improve their professional skills. Meanwhile, increased coordination against organised crime, drugs and human trafficking could contribute to more effective efforts against criminal networks. The meeting also underscored the broader importance of the Pakistan-US relationship at a time when regional developments continue to influence security and diplomatic priorities. Both countries have an interest in maintaining communication and cooperation on issues that affect regional peace and stability. Overall, the talks reflected a focus on strengthening bilateral ties through practical cooperation, particularly in law enforcement and security. The agreement to enhance joint efforts against organised crime, drug trafficking and human smuggling, along with discussions on police training programmes, demonstrates the two sides’ shared interest in addressing common challenges. The meeting also provided an opportunity for both officials to reaffirm the importance of continued engagement between Pakistan and the United States on regional peace, stability and security.

Karachi: While addressing ABAD — the Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan — on Wednesday, Inspector General Sindh Mr. Javed Alam Odho once again reaffirmed the commitment to resolve the Mir Raza murder case on merit and without pressure. He admitted mistakes had been made by the police department, but reassured that all measures would be taken to correct them. He also claimed that the crime rate in Karachi had dropped by 14 percent. He also urged for reforms and need of more professional training in Medico-legal system of police. But all those numbers and all those assurances fall flat in the face of one unresolved case. The fact that a builders’ association felt compelled to raise the Mir Raza issue speaks volumes. It is not ABAD’s mandate, yet its leaders did it anyway — because the mistrust between citizens and Karachi Police has grown too deep to ignore. That mistrust exists not because of a lack of competent leadership at the top, but because subordinate SSPs failed to deliver where it mattered most. A Meeting That Set the Standard  I saw this gap first-hand in my initial meeting with DIG East, Dr. Farrukh Ali Lanjhar. He came across as accessible, direct, and willing to listen — the kind of officer who says, “call me when you need me.” When I requested time from DIG East Dr. Farrukh Lanjhar for an interview, I expected a formal reply or a future date. Instead, he politely asked me to walk into his office and join him for a cup of tea. I was pleasantly surprised by the cordiality. I walked in expecting bureaucracy. What I found was courtesy, and a senior officer who was ready to resolve the issue of a female journalist without making her feel like a petitioner. Does the Police Force Lack Role Models?  The meeting was also a wake-up call. At the ASP/SP level, many officers still treat citizens as subjects of a colony and themselves as masters, not servants. I often wonder what fuels this snobbery and arrogance. Is it clearing the CSS? But given our quota system and an exam that has been reduced to testing memory and English rather than intellect or judgment, that in itself is no great achievement. If it were, every government department would be running like a multinational — either making huge profit or excelling in service delivery. Is it the training we inherited from the British Raj, designed to produce a ruling elite? Or is it the culture of imitating seniors who remain inaccessible and aloof? Yet we do have exceptions. DIG East Dr. Farrukh Lanjhar, DIG Traffic Pir Mohammad Shah, DIG CTD Capt. (R) Azfar Mahesar, DIG RRF Usman Ghani Siddiqui, DIG Amir Farooqui, SSP Qamar Jiskani, SSP Saud Magsi, SSP Zeeshan Siddiqui, and above all IG Sindh Javed Alam Odho. Within the same flawed system that all of us are part of, they choose to serve as public servants. The impression they leave is exactly what I witnessed the other day. Can’t they be role models? Because the legacy you leave either lives on or haunts you. We still remember good officers long after they retire, like former ADIG Hyderabad Range, Dr. Jameel. AIG Ameer Sheikh will be spoken of in those terms. Ten years from now, who else will be remembered with the same respect? There were many who were pharaohs of their time, but no one now remembers them with respect after they leave office. A Glimpse of Reforms in East  During our discussion, Mr. Lanjhar also spoke about the reforms he has pushed in East Zone. He said more than 1,000 personnel have been pulled out of desk pools and deployed in the field where they are actually needed. To enforce accountability, he has introduced biometric attendance to eliminate ghost employees. The zone is also moving toward an advanced facial recognition system to ensure that no one can mark false attendance and every officer on the roster is truly on duty. The Mir Raza Murder Case  When asked to comment on the Mir Raza murder case, which falls under his jurisdiction, he responded softly: “A new committee has been constituted,” he said, “and I do not wish to comment before its findings are made public.” However, he assured that he would address all queries once the committee submits its report. As we wrapped up a meeting that ran longer than expected, Dr. Farrukh Lanjhar spoke openly — about the shortcomings of the media, about his personal experiences across different districts and roles, and about the reforms needed to make police more public-friendly. Especially Thana culture, which he called the main “interface” of the police force. Before I left, he said simply: “Don’t you worry, Madam. We will remain in touch. You can call me whenever and wherever needed to resolve your issue.” It left me thinking. Often, just listening with patience to the complaint of the aggrieved party can bring down the temperature of frustration and distrust toward police. That is exactly what was missing in the initial handling of the Mir Raza murder case. The first inquiry committee, in which SSP East Zubair Sheikh was allegedly accused of incompetence and of pushing a suicide theory (by the family), failed on that count. He did not take into account the point of view of the victim’s parents. Neither he nor SSP SIU Samiullah Soomro were able to convey to the grieving family that the police were with them, and that they would do everything to ensure they got the justice they deserved. It was that simple. Had SSP East, Zubair Sheikh, treated it with the same seriousness that DIG East showed toward my complaint — on a far smaller scale — perhaps IG Sindh, Javed Alam Odho would not have had to stand before the media and accept mistakes on behalf of his force. That is why we have a full hierarchy in place. If every SSP did his job, including answering the