Pakistan is preparing to launch its first Law Enforcement Investigation Centre in Islamabad, a facility inspired by China’s policing model and designed to bring detention, investigation and summary trial functions under a single roof. The announcement was made by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during a meeting with assistant superintendents of police (ASPs) who had recently returned from specialised training courses in China and Turkiye.
The initiative marks one of the most significant steps in a broader push to modernise Pakistan’s policing system, combining international best practices with local operational needs.
What the Law Enforcement Investigation Centre Will Do
According to Naqvi, the pilot project in Islamabad will integrate three functions that are usually handled separately: detention, investigation, and summary trials. Housing these under one facility is meant to cut down on the delays that typically come with moving suspects and case files between different offices and departments.
The minister said the centre would primarily target minor offence cases, allowing them to be processed and resolved far more quickly than under the current system. By reducing procedural back-and-forth, authorities hope to ease the burden on regular courts and police stations while giving officers a more structured, technology-supported environment to work in.
Behind Pakistan’s China-Style Policing Reforms
The push for China-style policing reforms stems directly from the experiences of ASPs who completed training programmes abroad. The officers described their time in China and Turkiye as valuable exposure to modern investigation methods, advanced surveillance systems, and updated approaches to public safety and order.
Naqvi confirmed that such overseas training would now become a permanent part of professional development for Pakistani police officers, rather than a one-off arrangement. He said the government intends to keep equipping law enforcement agencies with the tools and skills needed to respond to changing security demands, and that lessons drawn from other countries’ systems would continue to inform Pakistan’s own reforms.
Mohsin Naqvi’s Broader Vision for Pakistan Police Modernisation
The investigation centre is just one part of a wider set of changes tied to Pakistan police modernisation. Naqvi outlined several additional measures during the meeting, including:
- Deploying modern drones under the Aviation Wing of the Ministry of Interior to strengthen surveillance and support field operations.
- Setting up specialised investigation rooms at the National Police Academy to sharpen investigative skills among trainees.
- Introducing interrogation techniques as a formal academic subject, drawing on methods used in developed countries.
- Rolling out new police uniforms built around the practical requirements of modern law enforcement work.
Naqvi said adopting proven international policing models would make Pakistan’s system more responsive, effective, and better suited to current security challenges. He placed particular emphasis on surveillance technology, saying it would expand monitoring capacity and support crime prevention efforts across the country.
Specialised Investigation Training Takes Center Stage
A recurring theme in Naqvi’s remarks was the importance of specialised investigation training for officers at every level. Rather than treating investigation as a general skill picked up on the job, the reforms aim to formalise it through dedicated coursework, practical facilities, and structured curricula at the National Police Academy.
This shift reflects a broader recognition that modern crime increasingly requires technical know-how, from digital evidence handling to coordinated surveillance work, skills that traditional training programmes have not always prioritised.
Why the Reforms Matter
Pakistan’s law enforcement system has long faced criticism over slow case processing, overcrowded detention facilities, and outdated investigative practices. The proposed Law Enforcement Investigation Centre, along with the accompanying training and technology upgrades, represents an attempt to address these long-standing issues by borrowing directly from systems that have shown measurable results elsewhere.
Whether the Islamabad pilot succeeds will likely determine how quickly similar centres are introduced in other parts of the country. For now, officials involved in the meeting, including the Commandant of the National Police Academy and the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency, appear aligned on the direction these reforms are taking.
Conclusion
The planned Law Enforcement Investigation Centre signals a clear shift in how Pakistan intends to approach policing and criminal investigation going forward. By combining detention, investigation, and trial functions in one facility, alongside new training programmes and surveillance technology, the government is positioning these reforms as a long-term upgrade rather than a temporary fix. The coming months will show how effectively these China-inspired methods translate into Pakistan’s own law enforcement landscape.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 7th, 2026
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