The forgotten heros of Pakistan: The Police.

Above: Relatives of a dead police officer mourning.

The police in Pakistan are amongst the most hardworking people when it comes to law enforcement and security.
The problem is that most of the Pakistani public ignores their risky efforts to protect the country and simply focus on the negative side of the police.

Most people only talk about corruption, fraud, brutality and bad performance when discussing the role of the police. But all these things have a cause behind them, and that is that despite their efforts and the daily suffering they endure during their difficult duties, the police in Pakistan are paid terribly, much less given any credit for their efforts.

Even their police stations are mostly in such poor conditions, hardly a place for anyone who'd want to work in a pleasant atmosphere.
Additionally, these people are poorly equipped and trained, yet they have to fight against the most dangerous criminals while being vulnerable to them.

While it's true the negative side of the police cannot be ignored, Pakistanis only seem to want to focus on that side.
Imagine for a minute if the police was not active even for a day in a major Pakistani city. All hell would break loose. It would be an open season for looting, killing, kidnapping, terrorism etc.

The main problem arises from the poor salaries of the police. They are paid much less for their risky, difficult tasks then they actually deserve. Because of these poor salaries, they are forced to accept bribes as a means of survival and to provide for their families.

Those rich, spoiled, upper class, Westernized Pakistanis who criticize the police should take into account their poor conditions and remember the last time they themselves bribed the police or sought help from a friend or a relative in the government when they got into trouble with the law.

Another thing the Pakistani elites don't realize is that the police in third world countries work much harder and face many more difficulties than the police in first world countries.

In the third world, where crime rates are higher, the police struggles much harder and are more prone to attacks while combating criminals and terrorists.
In present times after the outbreak of the current so-called "War on terrorism," many police personnel have been targeted and killed.

There has been hardly any solidarity if any for those who have struggled and died to protect citizens in Pakistan. And even when the police do something positive to prevent further terrorist attacks or robberies, there is no sign of encouragement or appreciation from the people.

Those who contest these claims should take up the positions of the Pakistani police even for a week and realize the difficulties there is in such a career.
I'll grantee the vast majority of police critics will resent the miserable working conditions they are placed in- including poor salaries, leading the police critics themselves to accept bribes as a means of survival.

In America, in emergency situations like the 911 attacks, the government and people honored the efforts of their law enforcement and emergency agencies, it's time Pakistanis do the same to promote and encourage their positive actions.