My recent visit to a police station in Larkana for my wife’s job verification exposed the alarming reality of petty corruption in our policing system. I was myself threatened by the officers when I refused to pay an illegal fee of Rs1000 – a fee that does not legally exist. Instead of providing a routine service, they deliberately delayed the process, repeatedly telling me to “come tomorrow,” hoping I would eventually surrender to their demands. After long arguments and growing pressure, I was forced to pay the amount. What followed was even more revealing: the officer’s tone suddenly softened, he pulled out a stamp from his pocket and signed the papers within seconds. This transformation – from intimidation to fake courtesy – shows how deeply extortion has crept into everyday policing.
Such abuse of authority destroys public trust and turns citizens into victims rather than stakeholders. The authorities must urgently address these practices with strict accountability and transparent procedures. No citizen should be coerced to pay for a service that is legally free.
Sadam Hussain Korai
Larkana
