Peshawar DRCs resolve thousands of disputes: CCPO

Haqnawaz Shinwari PESHAWAR Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed Ahmad on Tuesday praised the performance of Dispute Resolution Councils (DRCs) in Peshawar, saying the community-based forums had resolved thousands of disputes through mutual consent between the parties. The CCPO expressed these views during a meeting with chairmen and members of DRCs from across the district. SSP Operations Farhan Khan, SP Cantt Division Mohammad Junaid Kharl, SP Faqirabad Division Ali Hamza Butt and other police officers were also present. Dr Saeed said DRCs had an important role in resolving disputes in accordance with centuries-old Pashtun traditions and customs. He appreciated the members for helping settle disputes amicably and through mutual agreement. He said the performance of DRCs in Peshawar was encouraging, with thousands of disputes resolved so far. The increasing number of people approaching the councils, he added, reflected public confidence in the mechanism. According to the CCPO, the establishment of DRCs had provided citizens with affordable, prompt and dignified justice at their doorstep, describing the amicable settlement of disputes as a major achievement. He expressed confidence in DRC members and urged them to continue making impartial and justice-based decisions while safeguarding the trust placed in them by the public. Dr Saeed said the DRC system had been expanded to more police stations in view of its effectiveness so that people in remote and suburban areas could also benefit from the mechanism. He said the primary responsibility of the Capital City Police was to protect the lives and property of citizens and make effective use of available resources to facilitate them.