THATTA: Sindh Inspector General of Police A.D. Khowaja has stressed the need for new legislation to change the outdated police system and reiterated that police officials will also have to shun their mindset to transform `thana culture` He said he had no dispute with the Sindh government as it was empowered to make postings and transfers in police force. He was waiting for court verdict and the federal government`s decision about his new assignment, he said.

Speaking at an inauguration ceremonyfor a police reporting centre near Thatta police station and a reception hosted by the District Bar Association of Thatta on Wednesday, he said that people had pinned great hopes on him and he would try his best tolive up to theirexpectations.

Mr Khowaja said that British colonialists had promulgated police laws of 1861 in the wake of 1857`s war of independence to subjugate people and crush the rebellion but these laws were still in place.

He said that unless these laws were changed, poor and oppressed people of Sindh would continue to face brutalities. At present, anyone visiting a police station was treated like a criminal and policemen wereconsiderednoless than goons,he said.

He urged police officials to dispel this impression and behave like people`s servants. Besides competent and honest police officials, parliamentarians and educated section of society would also have to play their role to change thana culture, he said.

He said that gone were the days when people joined police force tomintmoney.`History records its decision on the basis of one`s character and actions and it never forgives antipeople elements,` he said.

Mr Khowaja said that nowadays Sindh faced challenges of extremism and sectarianism. `People of Sindh should tell those who promote extremism, sectarianism anddo politics of violence that they are followers of Sufism and believe in love for humanity irrespective of their caste, colour and creed and have the capacity to confront all challenges,` he said.

He said that police reporting centres were being set up across the province to change attitude of policemen towards complainants and restore people`s confidence in the department so that they could approach police without any fear.

Hyderabad DIG Khadim Hussain Jatoi, Thatta SSP Fida Hussain Mastoi, Thatta DBA president Punhoon Ugaili, Thatta Press Club president Mehboob Brohi and others also spoke at the separate ceremonies.